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.

 

Psychopathology is the study of mental health disorders, and mental illness can have

many different causes. Many factors influence the development of psychopathology, including

biological, psychological, social, cultural, and interpersonal. There may be multiple

interconnected causes of psychopathological development. For example, biological

predisposition and environment play an integral role in psychopathologic development in

children and can influence how a child develops and functions (Boland et al., 2022). Maternal

stress, a family history of anxiety, or parental neglect may cause childhood anxiety. Prenatal

infections are also linked to schizophrenia (Kalin, 2020). Healthcare providers must consider the

many possible causes of their patient's symptoms when diagnosing and treating them.

Genetics and neurobiology play a significant role in the development of psychopathology.

Neurotransmitters influence intracellular signaling and central nervous system function. An

imbalance of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine can influence mood,

concentration, and behavior (Berg et al., 2018). Genetics is another biological factor. Many

mental health disorders are highly heritable, such as alcoholism, bipolar, depression, and

schizophrenia, placing patients with a family history at a higher risk of developing these

disorders (McCance & Huether, 2019). Abnormal brain formation or hormone dysfunction can

also affect patients' cognitive, emotional, and behavioral abilities. Alteration of the

hypothalamic-pituitary axis is associated with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, mood disorders,

and post-traumatic stress disorder (Boland et al., 2022).

Psychological, social, cultural, and interpersonal factors also influence pathophysiology.

Kalin (2020) argues that exposure to environmental influences early in life can affect rapid brain

development and impair behavioral, cognitive, and emotional faculties. For example, severe

stress or trauma exposure as a child may cause emotional damage, triggering fear, anxiety,

depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (Petito et al., 2020). Social interaction also

influences psychopathology and is vital for cognitive and emotional development. Neglected

children may have attachment issues, ineffective coping skills, or reduced language and

cognition. Infants rely on parental reinforcement to encourage the evolvement of their

vocalizations and emotional development. Patients' culture influences their mental health,

affecting their relationships, language, expression of thoughts and emotions, beliefs, practices,

and expression of psychiatric symptoms (Boland et al., 2022). The patient's culture also affects

the meaning of psychiatric symptoms and interactions between patients and healthcare providers.

Race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation impact patients' health and psychological function.

Those who are stigmatized experience higher levels of psychological distress, such as those who

are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, and have a higher incidence of anxiety disorders, major

depressive disorder, and suicide (Moleiro, 2018). A low socioeconomic status may also play a

role in psychopathology, as these patients may not have adequate nutrition, preventative care, or

medical care. Healthcare providers must assess their patients for socioeconomic risk factors at

every appointment to ensure early diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders

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