The vulnerability/stress model of schizophrenic relapse: a longitudinal study

A tentative model for conceptualizing the interplay of vulnerability factors, stressors, and protective factors in the course of schizophrenia is discussed. A study of the initial years after a first schizophrenic episode is testing the predictive role of key factors. During an initial 1-year period...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inActa psychiatrica Scandinavica. Supplementum Vol. 382; p. 58
Main Authors Nuechterlein, K H, Dawson, M E, Ventura, J, Gitlin, M, Subotnik, K L, Snyder, K S, Mintz, J, Bartzokis, G
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Denmark 01.01.1994
Subjects
Adult
Chronic Disease
Emotions
Female
Humans
Life Change Events
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Models, Psychological
Multivariate Analysis
Prospective Studies
Recurrence
Risk Factors
Schizophrenia - etiology
Schizophrenia - prevention & control
Social Environment
Stress, Psychological - psychology
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Summary:A tentative model for conceptualizing the interplay of vulnerability factors, stressors, and protective factors in the course of schizophrenia is discussed. A study of the initial years after a first schizophrenic episode is testing the predictive role of key factors. During an initial 1-year period of depot antipsychotic medication, independent life events and expressed emotion were found to predict the likelihood of psychotic relapse. Initial analyses indicate that independent life events play less of a role in relapse prediction during a medication-free period. These results suggest that maintenance antipsychotic medication raises the threshold for return of psychotic symptoms, such that relapses are less likely unless major environmental stressors occur. A low expressed emotion environment may be a protective factor.
ISSN:0065-1591
DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0447.1994.tb05867.x