A diathesis is an underlying predisposition or vulnerability that increases an individual's risk of developing a particular disorder. This predisposition is not exclusively biological; it can also be psychological in nature, such as a cognitive tendency toward pessimistic or self-defeating thought patterns.

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The Diathesis-Stress Model is an integrative framework that combines biological and psychosocial factors to predict the likelihood of an individual developing a psychological disorder. It proposes that individuals with a pre-existing vulnerability or predisposition for a disorder, known as a diathesis, are more susceptible to developing the disorder when they encounter adverse environmental or psychological events, which constitute stress.

Diathesis-Stress Model

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

ACEs are potentially traumatic events occurring in childhood (ages 0-17)



Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Within the context of the Diathesis-Stress Model, 'stress' refers to adverse environmental or psychological events that can trigger the onset of a psychological disorder in individuals with a pre-existing diathesis. Examples of such stressors include childhood maltreatment, significant negative life events, and trauma.

Stress in the Diathesis-Stress Model

Diathesis

A fundamental principle of the diathesis-stress model is that the development of a psychological disorder requires the presence of both a pre-existing vulnerability (diathesis) and an environmental or psychological trigger (stress). Neither factor alone is considered sufficient to cause the disorder.

Core Assumption of the Diathesis-Stress Model

According to the diathesis-stress model, there is an inverse relationship between an individual's predisposition (diathesis) and the amount of stress required to trigger a disorder. This means that a person with a high level of vulnerability needs less stress to develop a disorder, whereas a person with a low level of vulnerability would need to experience a significant amount of stress for the same disorder to emerge.

Inverse Relationship between Diathesis and Stress

The development of major depressive disorder can be understood through a diathesis-stress framework. This model suggests that individuals do not develop depression from stress alone; rather, the disorder emerges from an interaction between a pre-existing vulnerability (diathesis) and exposure to adverse life events (stress). This explains why many people who experience significant stressors or childhood adversity do not ultimately develop depression.

Diathesis-Stress Model of Major Depressive Disorder

Cognitive theories propose that depression is initiated by negative thoughts, interpretations, self-assessments, and expectations. These frameworks are considered diathesis-stress models, suggesting that depression arises from an interaction between a 'cognitive vulnerability'—a predisposition to negative and maladaptive thinking—and the occurrence of stressful life events.

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