Transdiagnostic Factors as Diatheses to the Development of Psychopathology
Critically evaluate the role of a diathesis (predispositional vulnerability) to psychopathology
Critically evaluate the theory that a specific transdiagnostic factor contributes to psychological development
Synthesize the hypothesis that a transdiagnostic factor can serve as a diathesis to the development of a specific mental disorder
Reflect on how you might incorporate and apply the diathesis stress model and the transdiagnostic factors perspective into your future practice as a counsellor.
Purpose:
The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate a conceptual understanding of how transdiagnostic factors can serve as diatheses to the development of psychopathology.
Instructions
Your task is to apply the transdiagnostic factors – attachment – as a presumptive diathesis to Post-traumatic stress disorder
Review the article below. Then, use as the key source for your paper
Attachment: Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2012). An attachment perspective on psychopathology. World Psychiatry, 11(1), 11-15. https://www(dot)ncbi(dot)nlm(dot)nih(dot)gov/pmc/articles/PMC3266769/
Choose Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder a specific disorder from DSM-5 disorders, and, choose attachment transdiagnostic factors to examine as a possible diathesis for that disorder.
example, you might consider the transdiagnostic factor of attachment as a diathesis in the etiology of borderline personality disorder. Or, you might address how the transdiagnostic factor of emotional regulation can serve as a diathesis in the development of a panic disorder. Alternatively, you might explore the transdiagnostic factor of temperament as a diathesis in the etiology of depression. And so on.
In section one (75% of the body of the paper), you should address the theoretical basis of how the transdiagnostic factor you selected can predispose someone to the specific disorder you are researching. Remember that this is not a paper about the treatment of the disorder; address only the etiological developmental path.
Begin your paper with a brief introduction (one paragraph) that describes the “problem” (i.e., theme, topic, issue, concern, etc.) you will address, and be sure to state the purpose of your paper (e.g., “The purpose of the present paper is…” or “In this paper, I examine…” or “Attachment is examined as a…”). Next, present a brief overview of one of the diathesis-stress models we have studied in this course (e.g., Barlow’s triple vulnerability theory or Fairburn’s CBT-E model). Be sure to explain the role of a diathesis as a significant predispositional vulnerability to psychopathology.
Next, present a brief overview of the specific transdiagnostic factor you have selected (i.e., temperament, attachment, or emotional regulation). Describe the nature of the factor and explain its role in psychological development.
Next, present a brief overview of the specific disorder you have selected. Describe the nature of the disorder, summarize the symptoms and diagnostic criteria, and other relevant information. Do not list symptoms in a tabular format and do not copy, verbatim, DSM-5 content. Rather, provide your own narrative summary of the disorder you have chosen to study.
Then, explore in depth how the transdiagnostic factor can serve, etiologically, as a diathesis (predispositional vulnerability) to the development of the specific mental disorder you have chosen to examine.
Section two (25% of the body) comprises a (first-person, singular) personal reflection addressing how you might incorporate and apply the knowledge from Section one into your future practice as a counsellor. Keep in mind that this section is only about 400-500 words, so you will need to be selective and concise.
Finally, add a very brief conclusion/summary (one paragraph) of your work on this assignment.
Lastly, provide an APA-styled list of references that you used and cited for this paper.
Structure
Required components: An outline for the Transdiagnostic Factors paper is as follows:
Title page
Brief Introduction (one-paragraph)
Section 1.
Overview of the Diathesis-Stress model
Overview of the Transdiagnostic Factor (whichever one you choose)
Overview of the specific disorder (whichever one you choose)
Role of the selected transdiagnostic factor as a possible diathesis for the specific disorder
Section 2.
Personal Reflection
Conclusion
References
Length of Assignment: The text body of paper (i.e., not including references page/s or title page) should consist of approximately 2200 +/- words, (i.e., 10-pages double-spaced typed pages, Times New Roman font size: 12).
Format: Please, format your assignment in Word (files with extension .doc or .docx), or Rich Text Format (files with extension .rtf).
References: The key source, plus 5 additional scholarly sources
Considerations
Use content-themed headings and sub-headings to demarcate transitions and that augment the organization and readability of your paper.
Be sure to follow general guidelines of current APA style with respect to non-bias language, margins, double-spacing, running head (now optional in student papers) and pagination, proper Title page, and accurate use and full citation of References. Current APA style allows for use of the first-person; use first-person singular (“I”) not first-person plural (“We”) since you are one author.
An Abstract is not necessary for this paper. The brief introductory paragraph should describe both the “problem” you are addressing and the “purpose” of your paper.
The DSM-5 may be used to describe the disorder (again, do not list out all the criteria in a way that needlessly takes up space).
Sources published within the past ten years should be used. One or two older seminal sources are acceptable, provided that they are necessary and relevant to this assignment.
Appendices, tables, and figures are not acceptable for this assignment.
Resources
Any sources used to support your written narrative should be cited using correct APA format. Although Wikipedia can be a useful starting place to gather very general information no Wikipedia references will be accepted as scholarly citations.
TRANSDIAGNOSTIC FACTORS
Student’s name
Institutional Affiliation
Course Code and Title
Instructor’s Name
Date
Introduction
This paper examines the extent to which attachment insecurity may function as a diathesis for developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) psychopathology. The theoretical framework provided by Barlow's triple vulnerability theory offers a valuable lens through which to conceptualize the interaction between a diathesis and environmental stressors, thereby increasing the propensity for psychopathology.
Section 1:
The Triple Vulnerability model overview
The triple vulnerability theory put forth by Barlow offers a comprehensive framework for understanding the development of psychopathology. The theory proposes that three vulnerabilities—general biological, general psychological, and specific psychological—contribute to the development of mental disorders. General biological vulnerability refers to the role of genetics and neurobiology in predisposing an individual to certain mental disorders. The general psychological vulnerability considers how a person's response to life events can exacerbate negative outcomes. Lastly, the specific psychological vulnerability accounts for why certain disorders may arise rather than others, based on the individual's unique experiences. While the triple vulnerability theory was initially intended to explain anxiety and mood disorders, it may also help understand the development of neuroticism (Barlow et al., 2014). The view could also be expanded to include the role of attachment insecurity, which refers to the anxiety or avoidance that arises from inconsistent or inadequate relationships with caregivers, making it a psychological vulnerability under this model (Ingram & Price, 2010, pp. 3–17).
Overview of PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop following exposure to a traumatic event. The DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for PTSD include four symptom clusters: intrusion symptoms (e.g., recurrent distressing memories or dreams), avoidance symptoms (e.g., avoiding thoughts or reminders of the event), negative alterations in cognition or mood (e.g., negative beliefs about oneself or the world), and alterations in arousal or reactivity (e.g., irritability, hypervigilance) (Sherrer, 2011). PTSD falls within the internalizing transdiagnostic factor, as it is associated with mood and anxiety disorders. Individuals with PTSD are more likely to have comorbid disorders such as major depression, generalized anxiety, or panic disorder. Understanding PTSD within the context of the internalizing transdiagnostic factor can help elucidate the disorder’s etiology and inform treatment approaches that target this broader dimension of psychopathology.
The development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is contingent upon exposure to a traumatic event. Extant research has revealed a relationship between attachment insecurity and PTSD (Ein-Dor T et al., 2010). Solomon et al. (2008) provide empirical evidence of this relationship in their study of Israeli ex-prisoners of war, wherein they found that attachment anxiety and avoidance increased over time. Notably, the researchers also found that the severity of PTSD symptoms at the study’s outset predicted subsequent increases in attachment insecurity.
How attachment leads to psychological development
The concept of attachment is a fundamental aspect of psychological development, with potential lifelong ramifications for an individual's mental health. This term refers to the emotional bond that develops between a child and caregiver, which impacts various facets of social, emotional, and cognitive functioning. Extant research has revealed that early experiences with caregivers can produce differing attachment styles, including secure, anxious, or avoidant. These styles are believed to contribute to developing distinct patterns of psychological functioning over one's life (Sullivan, 2012). The significance of attachment is further underscored by its links to various mental disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and personality disorders. Consequently, any comprehensive understanding of mental disorders necessitates a nuanced understanding of the nature and role of attachment in psychological development.
Mikulincer and Shaver's (2012) work underscores the evolving nature of attachment theory. While it was initially conceptualized as a framework for understanding infant-parent emotional bonding, its application has expanded significantly. It is now utilized to examine a broad spectrum of psychological disorders. Central to attachment theory is the premise that early caregiver interactions substantially impact one's attachment style. This, in turn, has implications for an individual's capacity to regulate emotions, establish meaningful relationships, and manage stress (Bretherton, 1992).
The potential nexus between attachment insecurity and PTSD can be conceptualized within the theoretical framework of Barlow's triple vulnerability theory. The theory posits that insecure attachment may function as a psychological vulnerability, heightening the risk of developing PTSD after a traumatic event. Also, attachment insecurity may interact synergistically with biological vulnerability (e.g., a genetic propensity for anxiety) and specific psychological vulnerability (e.g., hypervigilance) to amplify the risk for PTSD. For instance, an individual who exhibits attachment anxiety may be excessively vigilant for signs of danger or abandonment, which may exacerbate PTSD symptomatology after a traumatic event. Similarly, an individual who displays attachment avoidance may experience hesitancy in seeking support or forging connections with others, thereby exacerbating PTSD symptoms as well.
The construct of attachment insecurity, a core component of attachment theory, has significant implications for mental health. Bowlby et al. (1992) conceptualize attachment insecurity as an experience of anxiety or avoidance in relationships. Research has increasingly linked this construct to various psychopathology, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Attachment insecurity may contribute to the development of PTSD through several mechanisms, such as promoting maladaptive emotion regulation, shaping negative self-representation, and fostering interpersonal difficulties.
Maladaptive emotion regulation, defined as an incapacity to manage one’s emotions effectively, is often observed in individuals with PTSD. Several specific challenges are typically seen in these individuals, including increased physiological response to stressors, an exaggerated sense of threat, and difficulty tempering negative emotions. Gander and Buchheim (2015) posit that these struggles may be linked to attachment insecurity. The authors argue that individuals with avoidant attachment styles are prone to suppressing emotions, hindering their ability to process traumatic experiences healthily. In contrast, those with anxious attachment styles are inclined to experience hyperactivation of emotions, which can result in chronic anxiety and feelings of helplessness.
The construct of self-representation is another salient consideration in understanding the potential impact of attachment insecurity on PTSD. Empirical evidence suggests that individuals characterized by insecure attachment styles are predisposed to negative self-representations, compromising their capacity to manage stress effectively. Specifically, avoidant attachment styles may be associated with a propensity for self-criticism and self-doubt, which can hinder help-seeking behaviors during critical moments (Ogle et al., 2015). Conversely, anxious attachment styles may manifest in hypersensitivity to external evaluations and an inflated sense of entitlement, both of which can exacerbate anxiety and distress.
Finally, the potential role of attachment insecurity in contributing to interpersonal problems, a hallmark of PTSD, warrants consideration. Difficulties with forming and sustaining healthy relationships can exacerbate the distress and isolation experienced by individuals with PTSD. As Markowitz et al. (2009) postulate, attachment insecurity may underlie many interpersonal difficulties. This insecurity manifests differently depending on the individual's attachment style; for instance, avoidant attachments are often associated with aloofness and emotional distance, while anxious attachments may result in neediness and excessive demands on others.
Attachment security as a diathesis to the development of PTSD
Attachment security is theorized to play an essential role in developing PTSD. According to attachment theory, early relationships with caregivers provide the foundation for how individuals later perceive and interact with the world. The quality of these early relationships can contribute to the development of internal working models (IWMs) of self and others, shaping how individuals regulate emotions and cope with stressors throughout life.
The extant literature provides considerable evidence to implicate attachment insecurity as a potential diathesis for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mikulincer & Shaver's (2012) work, for instance, demonstrates associations between attachment insecurity and various mental disorders, including PTSD. Moreover, according to attachment theory, exposure to inconsistent, unreliable, or insensitive attachment figures may diminish an individual's capacity to cope with stressors, which can subsequently compromise psychological functioning during crises. Accordingly, the diminished resilience associated with attachment insecurity may hinder recovery from trauma and contribute to the development of PTSD.
Another potential reason for this association could be rooted in the diminished capacity of individuals with insecure attachment styles to regulate their emotions effectively. This vulnerability may predispose the...