Question

Explain the genetic factors of schizophrenia.

Answer 1

Research indicates that schizophrenia has a genetic basis and tends to be passed down through families, especially among close relatives, where the risk is higher (Gottesman, 1993). However, it is not linked to a single gene. Studies suggest that multiple genes, along with various environmental factors, work together to cause schizophrenia. Adoption studies (Tienari, 1991) found that 9% of adopted children whose biological mothers had schizophrenia developed the disorder, compared to less than 1% of those whose biological mothers did not have schizophrenia.