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Marianela Gomez 

Factors Affecting Psychopathology Development

Psychopathology is a complex issue that is influenced by multiple factors. It describes the processes involved in the development of mental health disorders or conditions (Boland,  & Verduin, & Ruiz, 2022). There are numerous factors involved in the development of mental health disorders. They range from genetics, social, environmental, psychological, and individual. Genetics and neuro-scientific factors have been associated with the development of mental disorders (Gordovez & McMahon, 2020). Genetic predisposition is influential in contributing to the development of disorders like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia having a clear genetic element. According to Gordovez and McMahon (2020), twin studies have also shown a positive link between genetics and family links in the development of mental disorders. For instance, an individual with a first-degree relative with bipolar disorder is at risk seven times more than a person without familial predisposition (Gordovez & McMahon, 2020). Neuro-scientific factors include brain structure and functional abnormalities that contribute to psychopathology (Grotzinger et al., 2019). Neurotransmitters are biological chemicals responsible for transmission and transduction in the brain. Imbalances in these chemicals lead to abnormal transmission and hence development of mental disorders. For instance, the imbalance of dopamine and serotonin has been associated with the development of schizophrenia (Mandal et al., 2022).

Psychological factors include aspects that can influence the thinking and cognitive functions of an individual. They span from developmental to behavioral factors. Behavior and cognitive factors such as maladaptive habits and thought patterns can contribute to the development of psychopathological conditions such as anxiety disorders (Garber & Bradshaw, 2020). Emotional processing and regulation can affect psychopathology causing mood disorders like bipolar disorder. Development factors involve the developmental stage at which traumas and experiences occur that can impact psychopathology. For instance, childhood trauma is associated with multiple mental health disorders during adulthood (Garber & Bradshaw, 2020).

Social, cultural, and interpersonal factors play a critical role in psychopathology. Social factors such as socioeconomic status, healthcare access, and discrimination exposure can lead to psychopathology development which makes people with a poor background at a higher risk (Gureje et al., 2020). Cultural factors, cultural expectations, and norms affect the interpretation and expression of mental health symptoms. For example, cultural stigma affects health-seeking behavior. Interpersonal factors including romantic relationships, family dynamic, and social support, affects mental health. Poor social support can impact psychopathology development (Rose-Clarke et al., 2021)

A PMHNP requires an integrative and multidimensional approach that recognizes the factors and how influence mental health (Kumar et al., 2020). This interaction understanding enables PMHNPs to provide all-inclusive care. The theoretical perspective in psychopathology directs how the factors are integrated into evaluation and treatment. For instance, from a cognitive-behavioral point of view, a PMHNP should focus on the identification and modification of maladaptive behaviors and thought patterns while from a psychodynamic interpretation, they should look at the unconscious conflicts (Kumar et al., 2020).