Psychopathology entails the study of mental illness. Mental illnesses develop as a result of the interaction of different factors. Psychological, biological, social, and cultural factors can influence psychopathology. Numerous research studies have associated these factors with the developing of various mental illnesses. However, the exact mechanism of psychopathology is unknown. Various interpersonal, cultural, social, psychological (emotional, developmental, behavioral, and cognitive processes), and biological (neuroscientific and genetic) factors influence the development of psychopathology.
Biological (Genetic and Neuroscientific) Factors
Neuroscientific and genetic factors affect psychopathology. Neuroscientific factors are the interplay between the brain, neurotransmitters, hormones, and psychopathology (Masten & Kalstabakken, 2018). The human brain is composed of many neurotransmitters and neurons that significantly affect mental disorders. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the body that carry chemical signals from one neuron to a target cell (Jackson & Milberg, 2018). They exist on various levels. Changes in the level of different neurotransmitters have been associated with different mental conditions. For example, a lower serotonin level in the brain is associated with depression. Scientists also believe that the disturbance in the level of norepinephrine, glutamate, and dopamine is responsible for the pathogenesis of schizophrenia (Tiwari et al., 2018). Similarly, reduced gamma-aminobutyric acid is associated with excessive anxiety.
Different brain structures have a role to play in behavior and other cognitive abilities. Therefore, injury to the brain areas may contribute to different mental illnesses (Tiwari et al., 2018). For instance, the metencephalus and the cerebellum control motor coordination. Therefore, any abnormalities may result in autism symptoms like poor coordination. The limbic system regulates the ability to learn emotions and experiences. Abnormalities in the limbic system may cause aggressive behavior, sexual dysfunctions, and anger. Disorders in the peripheral nervous system components are also associated with mental and psychiatric symptoms such as problems with speech and involuntary movement.
Genetic factors have a significant role in psychopathology. Many mental disorders have some genetic components. Behavioral genetic findings have indicated that depressive and anxiety disorders may be hereditary (Maten & Kalstabakken, 2018). Many years ago, scientists claimed that they had found the gene responsible for bipolar disorders in a study involving Amis families. Inheritance of nongenetic behavior has also been established in animal and human experiments. A study observed that kids of individuals with schizophrenia given up for adoption as soon as they were born were likely to develop various psychiatric alterations if they were adopted by dysfunctional families (Maten & Kalstabakken, 2018). Therefore, genetic predisposition may not be expressed unless an individual is exposed to a certain environment.
A hormonal imbalance is a biological factor that has a significant role in psychopathology. In women, a higher level of estrogen and progesterone is associated with an increased risk of depression and anxiety disorders (Jackson & Milberg, 2018). These imbalances can also increase the symptoms of depression and anxiety. In men, low testosterone levels are associated with sexual dysfunction, depression, and anxiety. Higher than normal testosterone hormones can also be associated with risky behaviors in males. These behaviors can lead to substance use disorders.
Psychological (behavioral and cognitive processes, emotional, developmental)
Various emotional, developmental, behavioral, and cognitive factors and processes play a role in psychopathology. These factors may result from traumas such as abuse, the demise of a family member, and childhood neglect (Kalin, 2020). For instance, women who have undergone different forms of abuse, including sexual and physical abuse, are more likely to develop mental health disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. Similarly, individuals who are neglected during childhood can develop various lifelong consequences, including increased risk for substance abuse disorders and poor behavioral and mental health outcomes (Martino et al., 2019). Individuals suffering from family-level violence may have issues with stress control. The inability to regulate stress can lead to mental health disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and addiction.
Social, Cultural And Interpersonal Factors
Culture defines what is normal and abnormal in a society. Individuals are required to display certain behaviors and emotions in different contexts (Chueng et al., 2018). When one behaves outside what is considered normal, it is assumed they have something wrong. This notion is also applicable to mental illnesses. Therefore, the culture can influence psychopathology. Culture also defines the way we view the world. Individuals with a distorted worldview are likely to suffer from isolation, anxiety, and depression. Other sociocultural factors influencing psychopathology include economic status, education level, sexual preference, gender, and race. These factors influence psychopathology in different ways. The sexual orientation of an individual can influence their mental status (Chueng et al., 2019). Findings confirm that individuals from the LGBTQ community are at risk for anxiety disorders, major depression, traumatic stress reactions, and suicide.
Gender influences psychopathology. Findings have indicated that women are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression than their counterparts. The exact mechanism is unknown (Chueng et al., 2019). However, various genetic and biological factors are believed to predispose women to depression and anxiety. These factors can include hormonal imbalances. A drop in progesterone and estrogen levels has been established in women to trigger depressive episodes. Increased levels of progesterone associated with contraceptive use have also been established to increase the risk of depression. Male gender, on the other hand, is at risk for antisocial and substance use disorders (Chueng et al., 2019). It is also unclear why men are likely to develop substance abuse disorders like alcoholism. However, researchers identified the release of dopamine and testosterone levels as potential causes.
Race also plays a key role in psychopathology. Individuals from certain racial groups are prone to discrimination and segregation. Findings confirm that individuals experiencing stigma and discrimination are at risk for mental health problems (Chueng et al., 2019). Stigma and discrimination can lead to feelings of isolation, shame, and hopelessness. Additionally, it can also result in feelings of self-doubt, making one feel like they can never achieve what they want in life. Such feelings can lead to mental illnesses associated with isolation.
Socioeconomic status is a social factor that plays a significant role in psychopathology. Individuals from low socioeconomic status may be unable to afford basic needs such as housing, healthcare, and food. They may be homeless (Chueng et al., 2019). Homelessness is associated with depression, suicide, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Studies in the United States revealed that one-third of homeless individuals have serious mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia (Mental Illness Policy Org, n.d.). Studies also confirm that homelessness can exacerbate an existing mental illness, with the individuals likely to experience higher levels of alcohol use and psychiatric distress (Chueng et al., 2019). These individuals also have lower levels of perceived recovery. Losing a job is also associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety.
Conclusion
The development of psychopathology is complex. It occurs due to the interaction of various psychological, biological, social, and cultural factors. All factors in an individual’s life can contribute to mental illness by changing how an individual behaves, feels, and thinks. Medical practitioners should consider these factors when deciding the treatment approaches.
References
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 (pp. 15–36). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000065-002
Jackson, C. E., & Milberg, W. P. (2018). Examination of neurological and neuropsychological features in psychopathology. In J. N. Butcher & J. M. Hooley (Eds.), APA handbook of psychopathology: Psychopathology: Understanding, assessing, and treating adult mental disorders (pp. 65–90). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000064-004
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
Martino, G., Langher, V., Cazzato, V., & Vicario, C. M. (2019). Psychological factors as determinants of medical conditions. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 2502. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02502
Mental Illness Policy Org (n.d.). 250000 mentally ill are homeless. https://mentalillnesspolicy.org/consequences/homeless-mentally-ill.html#:~:text=Numerous%20studies%20have%20reported%20that,is%20lower%20among%20homeless%20families.
Kalin, N. H. (2020). Early-life environmental factors impacting the development of psychopathology. American Journal of Psychiatry, 177(1), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.19111181
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