A TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR PARENTS OF SCHIZOPHRENIC CHILDREN

This article highlights on experience with over 200 cases of childhood schizophrenia indicates that whatever type of direct treatment the child receives, a concomitant program of therapy for the parents is essential. No uniform or typical basic pattern of family dynamics is found. The reaction to th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of orthopsychiatry 1949-10, Vol.19 (4), p.592-598
Main Authors: Peck, Harris B., Rabinovitch, Ralph D., Cramer, Joseph B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Child
Childhood Onset Schizophrenia
Family Relations
Human
Humans
Insight
Old Medline
Parental Role
Parents
Program Development
Schizophrenia
Treatment
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Summary:This article highlights on experience with over 200 cases of childhood schizophrenia indicates that whatever type of direct treatment the child receives, a concomitant program of therapy for the parents is essential. No uniform or typical basic pattern of family dynamics is found. The reaction to the child’s illness, however, is characteristic and derived largely from the nature of childhood schizophrenia and the relationship distortions that its presence superimposes on previously existing family patterns. The character of their problems makes it difficult to provide adequate help for these parents in individual interviews. Fifty parents of schizophrenic children have been treated in group sessions over the past two years; in 15 cases both parents have attended. The method of group therapy has been found particularly effective to deal with their common reactions-confusion, anxiety, and intense feelings of guilt, hostility, social isolation, and hopelessness. The research nature of the project strengthens the positive orientation and the feelings of social usefulness, previously lacking. From the research point of view the project has been highly rewarding, furnishing us with important data on the longitudinal history of As they gain insight into the child’s difficulties and their own reactions, parents are able to identify with him and to recognize that although he is sick and may remain so, the child may be helped to adapt with his psychosis to family and community living, in many cases a goal of therapy by no means unattainable schizophrenic children, family relationships, and response to various forms of therapy. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
ISSN:0002-9432
1939-0025
DOI:10.1111/j.1939-0025.1949.tb06516.x