Schizophrenia appeared only in a subset (about 16%) of the children whose biological mothers had schizophrenia, a finding which suggested that rather than bad parenting, genetics plays a powerful although only partial role in the emergence of schizophrenia. (Parens, 2004)
But there are also environmental factors cited as well.
The way we perceive the world is created in large part by our nurturing environment. Highly critical parenting is one of the factors cited in those with schizophrenia as well as more serious abuse models. Therapy interventions are commonly tried when dealing with Schizophrenia, including cognitive therapy:
Over the last decade or so, the cognitive model originally outlined by Beck (1976) has been applied to the understanding and treatment of psychosis. This model suggests that the way we interpret events has consequences for how we feel and behave, and that such interpretations are often maintained by unhelpful thinking biases and behavioural responses. Beck's cognitive model also suggests that these interpretations are influenced by our core beliefs, which are formed as a result of life experience. (Morrison, 2004, p. 291)
But still there is much to learn.
At this point there is no recourse but to believe that schizophrenia is not only caused by a variety of factors, but need to be treated in a variety of ways. Both talk therapy and the use of medication are important, but connecting the patient to the world, their family and society is equally important if they are ever to find a modicum of peace. There is also no one size fits all solution, which the scientific community always seems to look for.
When we observe real human beings, we should expect most of their traits to be distributed in the continuous manner depicted by the bell-shaped curve. The...
Because of this feature of behavioral genetics, its insights should lend themselves well to the effort to affirm human variation. (Parens, 2004, p. 17)
By assuming variety and diversity in any therapeutic application, the clinician has taken a first step toward understanding this most complex world of schizophrenia.
References
Ackerson, B.J. (2003). Parents with Serious and Persistent Mental Illness: Issues in Assessment and Services. Social Work, 48(2), 187-195
Davidson, L. & Stayner, D. (1997). Loss, Loneliness and the Desire for Love: Perspectives on the Social Lives of People with Schizophrenia. The Psychiatric Journal, 20 (3), (Winter), pg. 3-12
Harrop, C., & Trower, P. (2003). Why Does Schizophrenia Develop at Late Adolescence? A Cognitive-Developmental Approach to Psychosis. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons
Meuser, Kim T. (1996) Helping Families Manage Severe Mental Illness. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Skills, 1 (2) pg. 21-42
Parens, E. (2004). Genetic Differences and Huamn Identities: On Why Talking about Behavioral Genetics Is Important and Difficult. The Hastings Center Report, 34(1), 1-18
Read, J., Mosher, L.R., & Bentall, R.P. (Eds.). (2004). Models of Madness: Psychological, Social and Biological Approaches to Schizophrenia. New York: Brunner-Routledge.
Rolnick, Alan (Producer) & Greco, Joseph (Director/Writer). (2008). Canvas. [Motion Picture]. Canada. LMG Pictures
Schizophrenia Symptoms" (2008). Counseling Resource. Retrieved on March 4, 2009 at http://counsellingresource.com/
