Discussion Post Responses: FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY

Response to two posts:



Back to Week at a Glance

FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY 

In many realms of medicine, objective diagnoses can be made: A clavicula is broken.  An infection is present. TSH levels meet the diagnostic criteria for hypothyroidism. Psychiatry, on the other hand, deals with psychological phenomena and behaviors. Can these, too, be “defined objectively and by scientific criteria (Gergen, 1985), or are they social constructions?” (Boland, Verduin, & Ruiz, 2022).

Thanks to myriad advances during recent decades, we know that psychopathology is caused by many interacting factors. Theoretical and clinical contributions to the field have come from the neural sciences, genetics, psychology, and social-cultural sciences. How do these factors impact the expression, classification, diagnosis, and prevalence of psychopathology, and why might it be important for a nurse practitioner to take a multidimensional, integrative approach?

RESOURCES

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources. 

WEEKLY RESOURCES

TO PREPARE:

  • Review this week’s Learning Resources, considering the many interacting factors that contribute to the development of psychopathology.
  • Consider how theoretical perspective on psychopathology impacts the work of the PMHNP.

BY DAY 3 OF WEEK 1

Explain the biological (genetic and neuroscientific); psychological (behavioral and cognitive processes, emotional, developmental); and social, cultural, and interpersonal factors that influence the development of psychopathology.

Upload a copy of your discussion writing to the draft Turnitin for plagiarism check.  Your faculty holds the academic freedom to not accept your work and grade at a zero if your work is not uploaded as a draft submission to Turnitin as instructed.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses

BY DAY 6 OF WEEK 1

Respond to at least two of your colleagues on 2 different days by explaining the implications of why, as an advanced practice nurse, it is important to adopt a multidimensional, integrative model of psychopathology.

Response to post #1:

Collapse SubdiscussionMingma Lhamu Sherpa

Biological Factors: These factors include genetic predispositions and neurological mechanisms. Genes may impact susceptibility to certain illnesses, while neuroscientific variables pertain to the structure and function of the brain. Aberrations in neurotransmitter systems may play a role in mood disorders such as depression.

Psychological Factors: Behavioral and cognitive processes are very influential. Behavioral habits, such avoidance or compulsions, may worsen conditions such as anxiety. Cognitive distortions, such as negative thought patterns in depression, also play a role. Emotional experiences and developmental effects, such early trauma, impact psychological functioning and susceptibility to psychopathology.

Social, Cultural, and Interpersonal Factors: Social environment and cultural norms impact how symptoms are expressed and understood. Social support networks may either alleviate or worsen symptoms. Interpersonal interactions and dynamics, including family disputes or social isolation, have an influence on mental health.

Utilizing a multifaceted, integrative approach as a nurse practitioner entails taking into account several elements during the assessment and treatment of patients. Comprehensively comprehending psychopathology involves recognizing the interactions among biology, psychology, and social environment. This method allows for customized treatments that cater to the unique requirements and situations of each person, resulting in improved therapeutic results.

Reference

Choudhury, S., & Kirmayer, L. J. (2009). Cultural neuroscience and psychopathology: prospects for cultural psychiatry. Progress in brain research178, 263-283.

Chiao, J. Y. (2018). Developmental aspects in cultural neuroscience. Developmental Review50, 77-89.

Hinshaw, S. P. (2017). Developmental Psychopathology as a Scientific Discipline: A 21st‐Century Perspective. Child and Adolescent Psychopathology, Third Edition, 3-32.



Collapse SubdiscussionYuliya Sitnikova

Yuliya Sitnikova

Factors That Influence The Development of Psychotherapy

Biological factors, including genetics and neuroscience, are crucial in shaping psychopathology. Genetic predispositions can increase susceptibility to mental disorders, as certain genes, such as the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4), may make individuals more vulnerable to conditions such as depression, schizophrenia, or anxiety disorders (Alshaya, 2022). A study by Kaltenboeck and Harmer (2019) highlights how brain structure, chemistry, and function contribute to psychopathology, with imbalances in neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine often implicated in mood and behavioral disorders.

Psychological factors have several influences, including behavioral patterns, cognitive processes, emotional responses, and developmental trajectories. Behavioral theories suggest that learned behaviors, reinforced through conditioning or modeling, contribute to the development and maintenance of psychopathology (Smith & Pollak, 2020). Cognitive processes, such as distorted thinking patterns or dysfunctional beliefs, can exacerbate mental health issues by influencing how individuals perceive and interpret their experiences. Emotional regulation difficulties may also contribute to the onset and persistence of psychopathology, as intense or poorly managed emotions can impair adaptive functioning. In addition, developmental experiences, including childhood traumas or attachment disruptions, shape individuals’ psychological vulnerabilities and coping mechanisms, impacting their susceptibility to psychopathology across the lifespan (Villalobos et al., 2021).

 Social, cultural, and interpersonal factors also have a significant influence on the emergence and expression of psychopathology. Social support networks, socioeconomic status, and cultural norms shape individuals’ access to resources, coping strategies, and help-seeking behaviors, influencing their resilience to mental health challenges. Cultural expectations and stigma surrounding mental illness can affect how individuals perceive and respond to symptoms, potentially exacerbating or mitigating the impact of psychopathology. Interpersonal dynamics, including family dynamics, peer relationships, and social interactions, contribute to individuals’ sense of belonging, self-esteem, and emotional well-being, influencing the development and course of psychopathology through social reinforcement, attachment patterns, and interpersonal stressors. The relationship between biological, psychological, and social factors shapes the development and manifestation of psychopathology, emphasizing the importance of having a comprehensive approach to understanding and addressing mental health issues.

References

Alegría, M., NeMoyer, A., Falgàs Bagué, I., Wang, Y., & Alvarez, K. (2019). Social determinants of mental health: Where we are and where we need to go. Current Psychiatry Reports, 20(11). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-018-0969-9

Alshaya, D. S. (2022). Genetic and epigenetic factors associated with depression: An updated overview. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 29(8), 103311. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2022.103311

Kaltenboeck, A., & Harmer, C. (2019). The neuroscience of depressive disorders: A brief review of the past and some considerations about the future. Brain and Neuroscience Advances, 2(1), 239821281879926. https://doi.org/10.1177/2398212818799269

Smith, K. E., & Pollak, S. D. (2020). Early life stress and development: potential mechanisms for adverse outcomes. Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s11689-020-09337-y

Villalobos, D., Pacios, J., & Vázquez, C. (2021). Cognitive control, cognitive biases, and emotion regulation in depression: A new proposal for an integrative interplay model. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.628416

Are you struggling with your paper? Let us handle it - WE ARE EXPERTS!

Whatever paper you need - we will help you write it

Get started

Starts at $9 /page

How our paper writing service works

It's very simple!

  • Fill out the order form

    Complete the order form by providing as much information as possible, and then click the submit button.

  • Choose writer

    Select your preferred writer for the project, or let us assign the best writer for you.

  • Add funds

    Allocate funds to your wallet. You can release these funds to the writer incrementally, after each section is completed and meets your expected quality.

  • Ready

    Download the finished work. Review the paper and request free edits if needed. Optionally, rate the writer and leave a review.