Download Course: Abnormal Psychology - Catholic College of Mandeville

Name of Institution: Catholic College of Mandeville
Programme: Bachelor of Education (Primary)
Course: Abnormal Psychology
Task: What is your understanding of what the vulnerable stress model postulates?
Students Name: Kadian Samuels-Pryce
Lecturer Name: Miss Carline Campbell
Due date: November 23, 2015
“Don’t stress me out!” Sound familiar? I don’t believe there’s a person alive today who
hasn’t either felt “stressed out” or felt that someone or something was “stressing them
out”. Essentially stress is not an event or circumstance in your life. Instead, stress is the results
of events and circumstances in our lives. The actual events or circumstances that produce a state
of stress in the body are called “triggers”. Psychologists have identified that not all individuals
who are stressed, or go through stressful life events, develop a psychological disorder. To
understand this, theorists and researchers explored other factors that affect the development of a
disorder and proposed that some individuals under stress develop a disorder and others do not.
As such, some individuals are more vulnerable than others to develop a disorder once stress has
been introduced (Barlow & Durand, 2009)
According to Ingram and Luxton (2005) the stress vulnerability model is a theory which
states a person's predisposition to illnesses and social and psychological factors which can
increase the chances of showing symptoms of the illness. As the name suggests, two main factors
are involved. "Vulnerability" 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
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. If we are vulnerable to something, it means we're more likely to be affected by it. For
example, some people might be biologically vulnerable to certain physical illnesses-such as heart
disease or asthma. Maybe the disease runs in the family, or maybe something in our early life
"set us up" for it (Sigelman & Rider, 2009).
Zubin and Spring (1997) postulates that 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 (such as abuse or the loss of a parent). This is why some families
are more likely to have members with a particular psychiatric disorder. Although vulnerability to
psychiatric disorders is primarily biological in nature, people can take steps to reduce their
vulnerability, including taking medication and not using alcohol or drugs. It's also worth noting
that the greater a person's vulnerability to a particular disorder, the earlier it is likely to develop,
and the more severe it may become. Similarly, some people also have a biological vulnerability
to developing an addiction: they are more likely to develop alcohol or drug abuse or dependence.
This is why addiction, similar to psychiatric disorders, sometimes "runs in families"(Cummings
& Campbell, 2008).
Masters (2008) states that stress in the environment can worsen biological vulnerability,
worsen symptoms, and cause relapses. Stress is anything that challenges a person, requiring
some kind of adaptation. Serious stressful events include losing a loved one, getting fired from a
job, being a victim of crime, or having conflicts with close people. Stress is often associated with
negative events, but positive events and experiences may be stressful as well. For example,
performing well in school, getting a new job, starting a new relationship, having a baby, or being
a parent all involve some degree of stress. It is also possible for stress to be caused by not having
enough to do. When people with co-occurring disorders have nothing purposeful or interesting to
do, they tend to have worse symptoms and are more prone to using substances. So a lack of
meaningful involvement in life-in areas such as work or parenting, for example, can be another
source of stress. Additionally, protective factors reduce the person’s biological vulnerability and
stress (Sigelman & Rider, 2009).
According to Ingram and Luxton (2005) based on an understanding of the stressvulnerability model, there are many ways to help people manage their psychiatric illness and cooccurring substance use disorder. 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. Biological vulnerability can be reduced in two primary ways: taking
medication and avoiding alcohol or drug use. Medication can be a powerful way of reducing
biological vulnerability by helping to correct the imbalances in neurotransmitters (chemicals in
the brain responsible for feelings, thinking, and behavior) believed to cause psychiatric disorders.
By taking medication, the symptoms of a psychiatric disorder can be lowered and the chances of
having a relapse can also be reduced (Oatley & Jenkins, 2006).
Belsky and Pluess (2009) postulate that it is impossible for anyone 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 and
causing relapses. Psychiatric disorders have a biological basis but environmental factors can
influence their course overtime. The stress vulnerability model points out that a positive outcome
of a psychiatric disorder is more likely if environmental stress is minimized or managed well,
medication is taken as prescribed, and alcohol and drug abuse are avoided. Relatives and
individuals working together can improve the long term course of a psychiatric disorder,
resulting in a better quality of life for all family members (Cummings & Campbell, 2008).
In conclusion, the vulnerable stress model states why certain individuals are more prone
or likely to develop certain disorders while others may not be as susceptible. It may be as a result
as myriad of factors but may be minimized by taking preventative measures into account.
References
Barlow, D. H. & Durand, V. M. (2009). Abnormal psychology: An integrative approach.
Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Company.
Belsky, J. & Pluess, M. (2009). "Beyond diathesis stress: Differential susceptibility to
environmental influences." Psychological Bulletin.
Cummings, M. E., Davies, P. T., & Campbell, S. B. (2000). Developmental psychopathology and
family process: Theory, research, and clinical implications. New York, NY: The
Guilford Press.
Ingram, R. E. & Luxton, D. D. (2005). "Vulnerability-Stress Models." In B.L. Hankin & J. R. Z.
Abela (Eds.), Development of Psychopathology: A vulnerability stress perspective.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications Inc.
Masten, A. S. (2001). Ordinary magic: Resilience processes in development. American
Psychology.
Oatley, K., Keltner, D., & Jenkins, J. M. (2006a). "Emotions and mental health in
adulthood." Understanding Emotions (2nd ed.) Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishing.
Sigelman, C. K. & Rider, E. A. (2009). Developmental psychopathology. Life-span human
development (6th ed.) Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
Zubin, J. & Spring, B. (1997) Vulnerability: A new View on Schizophrenia. Journal of Abnormal
Psychology