Mental health research does not aim to identify a single factor to “blame” for a disorder. Instead, researchers hope to understand the complex interplay of a number of different factors and use this information to generate new approaches to prevention and treatment.
“Our mental health is the result of the interaction of many biological, social and environmental influences.”
Those who have concerns about research leading to all the accountability being placed on one aspect of their life, be it their relationships, lifestyle or biology, may be reassured to know that mental health is very rarely influenced by just one thing. Our mental health is the result of the interaction of many biological, social and environmental influences. Even then, it is not the case that a specific combination of these influences leads to mental health difficulties. Rather, all these factors combine to influence a person’s likelihood to suffer from poor mental health.
This is the principle that most modern research is built upon. Although sometimes studies may focus on one experience that can impact our mental health, it is understood that these experiences do not occur in isolation. It is important to interpret the findings while bearing in mind the other factors that are at play in our lives. For example, even if research were to find that a family factor was associated with mental health, the findings would need to be considered alongside the biological, cultural and social background of the participants. An association between two things does not simply mean that this factor has caused the problem, just that they more commonly occur together.
“Identifying the factors that influence our mental health is also a necessary first step to creating treatments and interventions.”
Identifying the factors that influence our mental health is also a necessary first step to creating treatments and interventions. Researching the biology underlying some mental health conditions has enabled the development of medications that help reduce symptoms. For example, exploring the neural mechanisms involved in emotion processing has helped to identify the benefits of using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in the treatment of anxiety. If relationships between family members are found to influence the likelihood of developing a particular mental health disorder, then this relationship may also be a good place to start when deciding what treatments to offer. For example, many mental health services for young people in the NHS offer family therapy, where family members are encouraged to come along to the sessions so that they can work together to solve things that they are struggling with at home.
In any case, no research finding should lead to blame being placed on family members. As our understanding of genetic influences on mental health conditions is growing, there are some concerns that this could lead to tension between children and their parents. However, it is important to remember that our genetics are what make us similar to our families. Each parent shares approximately half of their genes with their offspring. Finding that genetics plays a role in our mental health should not be viewed as something that could divide families, but as something that can help them to understand each other.