Download Catholic College of Mandeville

Question: What is your understanding of what the ‘Vulnerable Stress
Model’ postulates?
Name: Simone Townsend
Course Title: Abnormal Psychology (DGC 411)
Facilitator: Miss Caroline Campbell
Due Date: November 23, 2015
“… as long as the stress induced by challenging events stays below the threshold of
vulnerability, the individual, remains well within the limits of normality. When the stress
exceeds the threshold, the person is likely to develop a psychopathological episode of some sort;
when the stress abates and sinks below the vulnerability threshold, the episode ends” (Zubin &
Spring 1977)
The Stress-Vulnerable model (Zubin et al. 1977) is an extremely useful model for
identifying and treating relapses of mental illness. It is accepted that humans carry genetic and
other predisposition to mental illness. However, the question arises as to how stress impacts on a
person in order to cause mental illness to develop. Furthermore, this brings forth the issues of
what effects such stress has on the human body beyond the human brain.
As the name suggest there are two keys terms involved in this model; ‘Vulnerable’ and
‘Stress’. The term vulnerable refers to our basic susceptibility to mental health disorders. This is
determined by our genetic makeup and our early life experiences. It is affected by our use of
different kinds of medications and our likelihood of using alcohol or drugs. “Stress” refers to the
challenges faced in our lives. It is affected by our coping skills, social support and involvement
in meaningful activities. It may also refer to events and experiences that may cause
psychological distress. Stress can influence mechanisms that help to maintain the stability of an
individual’s cognition, physiology and emotion. (Cindy Goh & Mark Agius)
Vulnerability and stress are influenced by many factors that people have some or little
control over. Some of these factors include: alcohol, medication use, coping skills, social
support, and meaningful activities. When these factors are addressed people can reduce
symptoms and relapses and improve the course of their co-occurring disorders. Some people are
biologically vulnerable to certain psychiatric disorders, such as: bipolar disorder, major
depression, schizophrenia, or anxiety disorders (panic, post-traumatic stress). This vulnerability
is determined early in life by a combination of factors, including genetics, prenatal nutrition and
stress, birth complications and early experiences in childhood. It is worth noting that the greater
a person’s vulnerability to a particular disorder, the earlier it is likely to develop, and more
severe it may become. (Stephen W. Porges, PhD)
Stress in the environment can worsen biological vulnerability, symptoms and even cause
relapses. Stress is anything that challenges a person, to the point where they require some type of
adaptation. Serious stressful events include losing a loved one, getting fired from a job, being the
victim of a crime or having conflicts with family members or close friends. Stress is often
associated with negative events, but positive events and experiences may also be stressful. Take
for instance, a student who performs well in school or becoming a parent for the first time; these
are two examples of positive stress which later results in negative stress.
Stress may also be caused from not having anything to do. When people with cooccurring disorders have nothing purposeful or interesting to do, they tend to have worse
symptoms and are more prone to face certain stressors that will lead to using substances that will
help to rid the stressful feelings. Stress is a normal part of life. Effective coping enables people
to be engaged in interesting, rewarding activities that may involve stress, such as working or
being a parent. Coping efforts can make it possible for someone with co-occurring disorders to
live a normal life without suffering the negative effects of stress. (Cindy Goh & Mark Agius)
Based on the understanding of the stress-vulnerability model, there are many ways to
help people manage their psychiatric illness. In the broadest terms, the severity and course of a
co-occurring mental health disorder can be improved by reducing biological vulnerability and
increasing resiliency against stress. It is impossible to live a life that is free of stress. However,
there are many ways people can learn how to deal with stress more effectively and to protect
themselves from the effects of stress on worsening symptoms which later results in relapses.
Those who do not have high levels of vulnerability are less likely to develop
psychological problems when high stress levels are present. When stress levels increase, those
individuals who are more vulnerable might be more likely to experience problems. The more
vulnerable someone is and the more stress they experience then the more likely they are to
experience more distressing symptoms. The stress-vulnerability model explains why it is that
some people might experience mental disorders and others do not.
To conclude the concept of the relationship between vulnerability and stress seems
plausible. The stress-vulnerability model can assist clients as a method of understanding why
levels of stress should be monitored.
Reference Page
Zubin J. & Spring B. (1977) Vulnerability: A new view of Schizophrenia. Journal of Abnormal
Psychology 86
Stephen W. Porges, PhD Vagal Tone: A physiological Marker of Stress Vulnerability
Cindy Goh & Mark Agius: Psychiatria Danubina, 2010: Vol 22
Sue Sue Sue: Understanding Abnormal Psychology