Types of variables

[mcelearr]

Summary

Mental health clinicians talk about different types of variables or causal factors such as predisposing (i.e., not directly causing but playing a role, such as a parent with schizophrenia), precipitating (i.e., the variable or stressor that triggered the client’s current problems), perpetuating/maintaining (i.e., variables that keep the problem active right now, such as depressive thinking). In addition, it can be helpful representing positive variables/factors (resilience factors), such as high intelligence or a supportive family.

Implementation

• Would require adding to already existing data structures so not technically difficult.
• If there is an established language for talking about this then should be quite easy.