Stress-Vulnerability — MRCPsych Paper B MCQ

Correct answer: D — Psychosis may occur when stress exceeds a threshold determined by an individual's vulnerability

The correct answer is D. The stress-vulnerability model proposes that psychosis emerges through an interaction between an individual's pre-existing vulnerability and environmental or psychosocial stress. Vulnerability varies between people and may reflect genetic, biological, psychological and developmental factors. Consequently, a person with greater vulnerability may cross the threshold for psychosis after relatively little stress, whereas someone with lower vulnerability may require more substantial stress. Stress alone does not invariably cause psychosis, excluding A. Biological inheritance is neither necessary nor sufficient on its own, excluding C. Vulnerability precedes and predisposes to episodes rather than arising only after them, excluding D. Although related models can be applied to other disorders, the model is explicitly used to understand psychosis, excluding E.

Reference: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust. What is Psychosis? – EIP Service – Information Leaflet, section 'Stress and vulnerability', 2025. https://www.cntw.nhs.uk/resources/what-psychosis-eip-service-information-leaflet