Family Models of Schizophrenia

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Family models

Early theories: based on observations- not supported well by research

Double bind theory (Bateso ‘56): child has repeated experiences with family members in which receives contradictory messages e.g. ‘looks sleepy, go to bed now”-shows concern for welfare of child but hostility and desire to get child out of the way suggested by body language/tone

Repeated exposure to contradictory messages →child resorts to self deceptions communication problems etc.

These interactions prevent the development of internally coherent construction of reality, and in the long run, this manifests itself as schizophrenic symptoms (e.g. flattened affect and withdrawal). R.D. Laing schizophrenia reasonable response to an insane world.

Research before 1970’s = view that dysfunctional families = most common schizophrenia HOWEVER = family interaction only studied after diagnosis of schizophrenia rarely involved proper control groups

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Hence

Recent research = based on expressed emotion; originally by Brown (’72) then lower showed patients with schizophrenia relapse higher than in homes with high expressed emotions.

Characteristics of high expressed emotions include: hostility, criticism and over concern.

Patients’ recall maybe affected by their schizophrenia. Other studies are less supportive.

Hall and Levin (’80) analysed data various previous studies no difference families with and without a schizophrenic verbal and non verbal communication were in agreement.

Subsequent research: strong relation – blur relapse and living with high expressed emotions relatives.

HOWEVER, co relational may just reflect consequences of living with a ...

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