Triggering factors play an important role in the development of psychological disorders. Practicing psychotherapists have valuable knowledge on psychological disorders and since their views on triggering factors have not been reported in the literature, triggers were addressed in this study from psychotherapists’ perspectives. The following three main issues were examined: definitions of triggers, examples of the most recurrent triggers and the idea of a common trigger for psychological disorders. Sixteen psychotherapists agreed to participate in the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in person and the data collected were analyzed using frame analysis. Frame analysis aims at representing the data through frames or groups that indicate different interpretations of the same topic. The results showed that the therapists provided three definitions of triggering factors. They most often defined triggers as events, occurrences or situations that explain the onset of psychological symptoms. The psychotherapists also provided examples of triggering factors: these were grouped into three frames, interpersonal, environmental and trauma. The therapists identified no single common trigger, although they discussed common categories and connections between different triggering factors. The findings indicate that triggering factors are complex and closely connected to personal vulnerabilities, as different events and circumstances act as triggers for different individuals. Future research could expand on these findings by examining the constituents of individual vulnerabilities.
The development of psychological disorders has been explained by several psychological theories and remains under debate. Psychotherapists, however, have insights into the emergence and development of psychological disorders that stem from both theory and practice. The constantly evolving field of psychotherapy prompts reconsideration, specifically when psychotherapists’ views on the development of disorders impacts their treatment approach. In addition, theoretical orientation and years of clinical experience, while known to influence psychotherapists’ viewpoints also merit further study. Applying Erving Goffman’s frame analysis, semi structured interviews with psychotherapists were conducted to determine their perspectives on the emergence of mental disorders. Biological, environmental, and psychological factors were mentioned both separately and in combination by the therapists. These factors, or frames, were then analyzed in relation to the therapists’ therapeutic approaches and length of clinical experience. The analysis showed that the frames employed by the therapists were influenced by several therapeutic orientations. Moreover, therapists with more than ten years of clinical experience mentioned a combination of factors slightly more often than single factors alone. In sum, the findings showed that therapists perceived the development of mental disorders as highly complex and as an outcome of multiple factors. War was also mentioned as an environmental factor in the development of mental disorders. As this finding was clearly a country-specific environmental factor, future studies should explore the possible role of country-specific environmental factors in different countries.
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