Discuss the relationship between etiology and therapeutic approach(es) in relation to one disorder.

Refer to the paper 2 assessment criteria when awarding marks.

The command term “discuss” requires candidates to offer a considered review about the link between etiology and therapeutic approach.

Anxiety disorders, affective disorders and eating disorders will most likely be presented. It is, however, acceptable to use other examples of disorders.

This question could be addressed in general by pointing out a variety of etiologies and how each influences the course of treatment. For example, depression may be explained from a biomedical viewpoint (for example, the serotonin hypothesis). Therefore, treatment involves prescribing a number of drugs used to treat depression based on theories of the brain chemistry involved.

Discussion may include, but is not limited to:
• cultural considerations
• empirical evidence
• methodological considerations of research studies
• gender considerations related to the impact that the therapeutic approach may have
• a multifaceted approach may be considered the most effective – combining several approaches to treatment as well as helping the patient handle risk factors in the environment
• in reality, practitioners may disregard the link to etiology in choice of treatment.

If a candidate discusses more than one disorder, credit should be given only to the first response.

Candidates may address one therapeutic approach in order to demonstrate depth of knowledge, or may address a larger number of therapeutic approaches in order to demonstrate breadth of knowledge. Both approaches are equally acceptable.

Candidates may address the question using a general approach to etiology, for example the biomedical explanation of disorders, or by using a specific approach such as the serotonin hypothesis. Both approaches are equally acceptable.

Candidates who use generic terms such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders instead of using the correct terminology such as major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder or anorexia/bulimia should not be penalized.

If a candidate discusses the relationship between etiology and therapeutic approaches but does not refer to a specific disorder, the response should be awarded a maximum of [4] for criterion A, knowledge and understanding, up to a maximum of [5] for criterion B, critical thinking and up to a maximum of [2] for criterion C, organization.