Concepts of Mental Disorders in Trainee Clinical Psychologists

Abstract

The models of mental disorders held by clinical psychologists are implicit in their attitudes and inform all aspects of theory and practice. We found that trainee clinical psychologists continue to favour psychosocial over biological understandings of mental disorders, giving the cognitive, behavioural and psychodynamic models equal value overall, and stronger attitudes were supported by the evidence base. We found that trainee clinical psychologists organized their attitudes around a biological-psychosocial continuum and cognitive/behavioural and psychodynamic/spiritual dimensions. These findings may be useful for those involved in developing clinical training programs and multidisciplinary working because they provide an insight into the attitudes of emerging clinical psychologists.

Psychological models in sport psychology: A preliminary investigation

“…The biological model represented in the MAQ by statements such as: "The appropriate study of the issue involves discovery of biological markers and the effects of biological interventions" is similar to Blaney's (1975) medical model in conceptualising mental issues as organic illnesses. As such, mental issue symptoms are manifestations of underlying organic dysfunction; a mentally ill person cannot be held responsible for his/her actions, and diagnosis provides the best way to understand PSYCHOLOGICAL MODELS 14 psychiatric symptoms (Reid et al, 2017). Within applied sport psychology, Poczwardowski et al (2014) discussed how the medical model stresses the importance of psychological intervention to treat various behavioural, emotional, and cognitive maladaptive reactions to the stressors of the training process, athletic performance, and personal life (e.g., depression or eating disorders).…”

“…For example, the biological model was most strongly endorsed for schizophrenia and least endorsed for antisocial personality disorder, with the biological model most strongly endorsed overall by the trainee psychiatrists. Following on from this, Reid et al (2017) administered an adapted version of the MAQ to trainee clinical psychologists. The social realist and social constructionist models were the most strongly endorsed, suggesting the immediate social circumstances of the individual as well as the PSYCHOLOGICAL MODELS 4 wider social context were perceived to be the most important factors in conceptualising mental disorders.…”

Ontological and epistemological reflexivity: A core skill for therapists

“…Despite some very insightful reflection on this and related issues (Christopher, ; Harland et al., ; McLeod, ; Read, Moberly, Salter, & Broome, ; Rennie, ; Van Deurzen, ), epistemological and ontological reflexivity do not feature prominently in counsellor and psychotherapy training syllabi. This paper seeks to address this issue by making the case for a more explicit engagement with epistemology and ontology within the context of counselling and psychotherapy training and practice.…”

Professional Culture of Mental Health Services Workers: A Meta-synthesis of Current Literature

“…Scholars have published relevant research papers focused on training issues of professionals and specialized workers, such as psychiatrists [3,59], clinical psychologists [32,44], nurses [24,34], social workers [25,35] or covering specific psychosocial construct related to the mental health work, such as professional identity [26], attitudes toward evidence based practice [55], organizational culture in mental health [49,50] or ward atmosphere [46]. However, there are no studies that attempt to develop a holistic model of professional culture of mental health service workers (MHSWs).…”