Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

The development of schizoaffective disorder is believed to be influenced significantly by?

1. Environmental factors

2. Genetics

3. Philosophical beliefs

4. Social interactions

The correct answer is: Genetics

The development of schizoaffective disorder is significantly influenced by genetic factors. Research has shown that individuals with a family history of mood disorders or schizophrenia are at a higher risk of developing schizoaffective disorder themselves. This indicates a potential hereditary component, where specific genetic predispositions may contribute to the disorder's manifestation. While environmental factors, philosophical beliefs, and social interactions can affect mental health and the experience of symptoms, they do not have the same level of direct influence on the fundamental development of schizoaffective disorder as genetics does. For instance, environmental stressors may trigger or exacerbate symptoms in someone who is genetically predisposed, but they are not the primary cause of the disorder itself. Understanding this genetic connection can help in identifying at-risk individuals and may guide prevention and treatment strategies in clinical practice.