Etiology Disorders
Over the past years, a number of researches regarding the etiology of mental disorders have been undertaken. And according to -, , and (2005) the neurobiological factors is a relevant aspect in the study of etiology of mental disorders. The knowledge on the causes and origins of mental disorders helps social workers and practitioners study and develop interventions.
Over the past 25 years some of the findings regarding mental illnesses have suggested that the environment and the influence of the family members are contributory factors in various mental disorders ( and , 1995). Moreover, in the study of Johnson et al (2000) pointed out that recent literature have suggested that neurobiological factors could also influence the etiology f mental disorders, and the researchers have described this new knowledge as neuropsychiatric revolution.
This paper examines the etiology of schizophrenia, conduct disorder, antisocial personality disorder, paranoid personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, pedophilia and hebephilia. Precursor behaviors, as well as, subsequent behaviors using the internal and external determinism theories will also be discussed. Moreover, the analysis of the current behaviors using the theories of determinism with regards to crime will also be discussed in this paper.
Etiology of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by the impairments regarding the expression of reality, and is often coupled with hallucinations, paranoia and unorganized thinking and speech. There are various causes of schizophrenia and the following are the main contributory factors to the etiology of the mental illness:
Genetic- it is regarded by a number of researchers as one of the main causes of schizophrenia. According to , , and (2005) schizophrenia is due to the complex inheritance of an individual and there is a possibility that numerous genes interact to obtain a greater risk for schizophrenia.
Environmental- , , and (2005) pointed out that an individual that lives in an urban environment has greater risl of acquiring schizophrenia. Furthermore, , , and (2007) pointed out that being a first and second generation immigrant could also be a risk factor in obtaining schizophrenia due to racial discrimination, unemployment, social adversity and poor conditions in housing. Aside from, the physical environment, the experiences of an individual during his or her childhood such as abuse could also contribute to the development of schizophrenia (, , and (2005).
(2006) discussed that a number of literature have shown evidences that the exposure of the mother to infections during pregnancy could increase the possibility of having schizophrenia.
Substance abuse- although a number of studies have pointed out that drug use could be a contributory factor in developing schizophrenia the connection between these two has been difficult to set apart due to the complex nature of both the mental illness and the substances. , , (1996) discussed that amphetamines could be responsible for a number of symptoms of schizophrenia. Aside from amphetamines, stimulant drugs could also trigger schizophrenia (, , , 1990).
Etiology of Conduct Disorder
The causes of conduct disorder constitute of various factors such as genetics, social and constitutional familial factors. , and (1990) discussed that children exhibiting conduct disorders may inherit reduced activity in the baseline autonomic nervous system from their parents, for this reason these children may need greater stimulation to attain optimal arousal. Moreover, the (1997) pointed out that the high level of sensation-seeking activity that is related to conduct disorder may be accounted to hereditary factors. Other risk factors of conduct disorders include substance abuse by the parents of the children, marital conflict, child abuse, mental illness and neglect by the people around him or her. Another risk factor is the antisocial behavior of the caregivers or the parents (, 1997). Aside from the risk factors that may contribute to the development of conduct disorder in an individual, , , and (2000) discussed that conduct disorder has been associated with failure in school or work, genetic vulnerability, life experiences that is traumatic, and physical and sexual abuse. In addition, , , (1995) discussed that young children exhibiting attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD have the greater chances of developing Conduct Disorder later in life. Lastly, and (1996) stated that family factors particularly individuals that live in the low socioeconomic status, and have parents that have poor parenting skills could contribute to the development of conduct disorder.
Etiology of Antisocial personality disorder
Antisocial personality disorder is a psychiatric disorder wherein the individual having this mental illness violates the rights of other people and the norms of the society repeatedly. And individuals that exhibit this disorder are often in the court rooms, welfare and prisons. According to the (2007) individuals that have antisocial personality disorder usually lie, fight and steal. Moreover, these people have difficulties dealing with the authorities.
The also discussed that the factors in the environment, as well as, the genetics could also contribute to the development of antisocial personality disorder. Moreover, the main factor in the environment that could aid in the development of the disorder is the deprivation of a stable relationship with another individual. In the genetic factors, having a parent that is a sociopath could be a strong predictor in developing antisocial personality disorder.
In addition, (2007) discussed that the personality of an individual is the totality of the way a person feels, thinks and behaves and when an individual behaves in an appropriate manner there is a possibility that the person is suffering from personality disorder. Furthermore, discussed that the history of the family such as having one parent with antisocial behavior could increase the possibility of their offspring in developing the condition. Another is if the environment and homes often times inflict pain and punish children it could a strong factor in having an antisocial personality disorder.
Etiology of Paranoid Personality Disorder
Paranoid Personality Disorder is a mental illness wherein an individual has the possibility to interpret the actions of other people as threatening to them. Usually, the disorder surfaces in the early adulthood and is characterized by the presence of distrust and suspicion that leads to misinterpretation of the actions. Moreover, individuals that have paranoid personality disorder are not able to acknowledge their own feelings of negativity, distrust and suspicion to other people. On the other hand, these people usually do not lose the touch of reality. However, these people do not confide to other individuals because of the fear of being betrayed. According to (2006) the specific causes of paranoid personality disorder is still unknown but the prevalence of the disorder appears in families that have a member that is schizophrenic. In addition, paranoid personality disorder is the result of a negative childhood especially those individuals that have experienced abuse during childhood which could cultivate deep insecurities in a child.
Etiology of Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline personality disorder is a mental illness which is characterized by a repetitive pattern of instability and disorganization in their mood, behavior, relationships and self-image. According to (1999) borderline personality disorder is a disorder that affects 1% to 2% of the population. Over the past years, studies have identified several factors that could contribute to the development of borderline personality disorder which includes abuse during childhood, unstable environment within the family, and history of mental illness in the family. And according to , and (2005) a number of studies has consistently associate abuse such as physical and sexual and borderline personality disorder. Furthermore, in the study of (1999) the emotional, physical and sexual abuse that a child experienced increased the likelihood of developing borderline personality disorder. Moreover, in the study of (2001) identified that children that experience sexual abuse are most likely to develop BPD than those who did not.
Another probable reason that causes confusion in the significance of etiology and abuse in BPD is that the factors of heredity could be confused with the effects of the family environment. According to (2003) BPD is associated in a number of heritable traits such as neuroticism and impulsivity. In addition, according to (2007) the causes of BPD is still being studied and the possible causes are:
Genetics- in researches regarding families it revealed that personality disorders may be inherited.
Environmental Factors- individuals that have borderline personality disorder have a history of abuse during childhood and separation from loved ones.
Brain abnormalities- in studies some parts of the brain that is involved in the regulation of emotion, aggression and impulsivity.
Etiology of Pedophilia
Pedophilia is one of the subcategories in the larger group of sexual disorders. According to (2007) pedophilia is defined as intense, recurrent and aphrodisiac fantasies that involve sexual activities with prepubescent children. The acts of pedophiles constitute simple voyeurism, sexual fondling, performing oral sex on children and masturbation and in most cases they do not require penetration. However, most of the pedophiles persuade and befriended children.
The psychological profile of pedophiles is really complex due to the fact that these people constitute a heterogeneous group. On the other hand, the common characteristics of perpetrators are male which could be heterosexual or homosexual, and most of them do not have gender preference. Moreover, usually pedophiles are a relative, neighbor or friend of the family.
The cause of people engaging in sexual activities with children are deviant among pedophiles however one theme appears repeatedly which is the perpetrator usually justifies his or her actions. Usually the pedophiles tell the authorities that the child was the one that solicited for the sexual activity and claims that the child also experience sexual pleasure from the act. Often times, pedophiles indicate that their behavior is not harmful to the child.
The pedophilic personality of the perpetrators do not manifest in the early life but usually surfaces during adolescence. And the disorder is usually more common to individuals that have experience sexual abuse during their childhood days. For this reason, the pedophiles usually select victims in congruence to the age wherein they were sexually abused. Personality tests of perpetrators suggest that they are usually shy, depressed, sensitive and introverted, as well as, emotionally immature and the fear of not functioning appropriately in the adult sexual relationships.
Etiology of Hebephilia
Hebephilia also known s Ephebophilia is also one of the subcategories of sexual disorders. In Ephebophilia the sexual predator is usually attracted to children that are in puberty. And just like pedophiles the causes of hebephilia is still unknown and are usually vague. Some offenders could be solely attracted to the child while some can also be attracted to adults. Offenders could be sexually attracted to children of the same gender.
Theories of Determinism
The behaviors of sexual offenders or even criminals could not be put in just one category. The extent and reason behind their actions are too profound and extensive. There are two types of determinism, the external and internal.
External determinism- two categories are divided under this theory. First is the environmental determinism and in this theory the fate or destiny of an individual plays a central role which is shaped by the society. In the case of sexual offenders and criminals the individuals around them and the society influence their beliefs as they grow up. As mentioned earlier sexual offenders are usually abused as a child, therefore the environment around them has shaped the individual in becoming a criminal or an offender. However, not all individuals that experience sexual abuse as a child may become sexual offenders in the future; however it could still be a risk factor. Our world is not a perfect place; therefore there is always the possibility that a child will be abused. Although, the society cannot completely eradicate the incidence, reducing or preventing it from happening will be the next best step and this can be done, if the society, as well as, the government will become more aware of the possible causes. Example, social workers must focus on children living in environments that are abusive and not conducive in honing a better a productive member of the society, and create interventions that will make them less prone to abuse by adults within their environment.
Orchestration is the determinism created by the spiritual guides, it is not important for an average individual, however for people that are on their spiritual quest or journey it plays an important role in the way their lives are shaped. The main purpose of orchestration is to develop and understand the character of an individual and develop the ability to handle issues and problems. For criminals and sexual offenders most of them have already lost their connection to a higher form of individual because of what they have experienced while growing up. Most of them lived in households wherein abuse is very common and unstable relationships with people around them occur. If a child could not develop a stable and good relationship with a physical human being what more with spirits.
Internal Determinism- and just like external determinism, it is also divided into two groups and these are childhood determinism and abreactive determinism. In childhood determinism, the quality of the relationship between a child and an adult is very important particularly in terms of authority and sexuality. Childhood determinism centers the two needs of the child which are the approval of the society and inferiority complex. Most sexual offenders did not get over their inferiority complex due to physical and sexual abuse that they experience. For offenders the idea that children submits to the authority of an adult makes it easier for them to abuse children.
In the abreactive determinism stimulated the learning of an individual regarding relationships. Moreover, this form of determinism promotes self-awareness to an individual. It also involves understanding the meaning of life rather than acquiring knowledge in order to see the good and bad side of life. Usually the sexual offenders, as well as, criminals justify their actions therefore most of them do not understand the real meaning of life and cannot differentiate the right and wrongful acts, and even if they know the good and the bad most of them are still in denial.
Conclusion
Mental disorders are very complicated, the causes and reasons behind its development to an individual is still under investigation. Most individuals that have mental disorders often times commit crimes just like the pedophiles. There are a number of reasons why it occurs and a number of studies have pointed out genetics and environment. The environment wherein a person is surrounded shapes his or her personality which is the way an individual behaves and thinks. If a child is brought up in an abusive home, there is a probability that in the near future they will become one. Therefore, the environment such as home and the society wherein the person lives plays an important role in shaping them to become offenders in the near future or become productive citizens in our society.
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