Week 1 discussion 6635

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.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses

Answer:

Factors That Influence the Development of Psychopathology

Psychopathology is the scientific study of mental health disorders that tend to have
multifactorial causes, including their etiologies. In exploring the psychopathology of diseases, it
is paramount to consider the factors contributing to the psychopathology including biological,
psychological, social, cultural, and interpersonal factors that influence the development of
psychopathology. Understanding the factors contributing to the development of psychopathology
is significant as it informs the healthcare provider regarding the development and the course of
the condition, including its treatment.

Biological factors, including genetic and neuroscientific, plays a significant role in
influencing the development of psychopathology. An individual’s genetic predisposition
determines the behavioral trajectories due to the variations in circulatory and brain anatomical
functional activation patterns (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine,
2019). Genomic studies reveal that rare variations arising from the gametes or the embryo play a
significant role in the development of psychiatric disorders (Smoller et al., 2019). For instance,
mutations in some genes have been linked with autism spectrum disorder and, to a lesser extent,
schizophrenia. It is also paramount to note that the occurrence of neurodevelopmental events
occurs from the early life stages with younger children below the age of three years, being a
critical age for implementing strategies geared towards correcting the developmental challenges
that can result in mental health issues. Impact by a toxic environment or aberrant core genetic
variants pose the risk of survival which triggers the regulatory mechanisms to make adjustments
that reduce the risk of death but increases the risk of psychiatric illness (Smoller et al., 2019).

Psychological factors, including cognitive and behavioral processes, and emotional and
developmental factors, play a crucial role in the development of psychopathology. Some of these factors are linked to childhood adverse experiences, including the death of an immediate family
member, childhood neglect, and abuse such as physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. For
instance, child maltreatment is linked with poor developmental outcomes, resulting in
unfavorable mental health outcomes. The adverse experiences during childhood or young
adulthood tend to contribute to the development of psychopathology later in adulthood. Research
notes that family or community-level violence significantly impacts the stress regulation system
of individuals, with a malfunction in these systems resulting in mental health disorders (Masten
& Kalstabakken, 2018). Some mental health disorders due to a lack of effective stress regulation
include depression, anxiety, and addiction.

Social, cultural, and interpersonal factors are also significant determinants of the
development of psychopathology. The social factors that impact the development of
psychopathology include economic, social, and physical resources, including access to health
and overall well-being. Notably, individuals with sufficient access to social services, including
access to health services, education, safe and clean environment, are more likely to have positive
health outcomes (Cheung & Mak, 2018). Children and individuals living in underprivileged
neighborhoods and from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are likely to have poor
psychopathology due to the challenges of accessing proper care and other health promotion
services (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2019). Understanding the
cultural differences between populations is paramount for the mental health care provider to
distinguish the presentations attributable to psychopathology and normal manifestations. Some
interpersonal factors that might influence the development of psychopathology include a lack of
an appropriate interpersonal support system and stigmatization of mental health disorders.

References

Cheung, F. M., & Mak, W. W. S. (2018). Sociocultural factors in psychopathology. In J. N.
Butcher & J. M. Hooley (Eds.), APA handbook of psychopathology: Psychopathology:
Understanding, assessing, and treating adult mental disorders., Vol. 1. (pp.
127–147). American Psychological Association. https://doi-
org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1037/0000064-006
Masten, A. S., & Kalstabakken, A. W. (2018). Developmental perspectives on psychopathology
in children and adolescents. In J. N. Butcher & P. C. Kendall (Eds.), APA handbook of
psychopathology: Child and adolescent psychopathology., Vol. 2. (pp. 15–36). American
Psychological Association. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1037/0000065-002
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2019). Influences on Mental,
Emotional, and Behavioral Development. In Fostering Healthy Mental, Emotional, and
Behavioral Development in Children and Youth: A National Agenda. National
Academies Press (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551846/
Smoller, J. W., Andreassen, O. A., Edenberg, H. J., Faraone, S. V., Glatt, S. J., & Kendler, K. S.
(2019). Psychiatric genetics and the structure of psychopathology. Molecular
psychiatry, 24(3), 409-420. https://doi.org/10.1038%2Fs41380-017-0010-4