Category: Psychology News
The idea that families cause disturbed experiences, or more specifically that parents are responsible if their children have psychotic experiences, was popular in the 1960s. A term 'schizophrenogenic (schizophrenia-causing) mother' was even developed. These mothers were characterized as rejecting overprotective, self-sacrificing,, impervious to the feelings of others, rigid and moralistic about sex and fearful of intimacy (Davison et.al., 2001)
The idea that families cause disturbed experiences, or more specifically that parents are responsible if their children have psychotic experiences, was popular in the 1960s. A term 'schizophrenogenic (schizophrenia-causing) mother' was even developed. These mothers were characterized as rejecting overprotective, self-sacrificing,, impervious to the feelings of others, rigid and moralistic about sex and fearful of intimacy (Davison et.al., 2001)
According to Davison (2001), aside from the influence given above, some findings also suggests that the faulty communication of parents may play a key role in the development of schizophrenia in their siblings. In connection with this, several groups of adolescents were studied with their families and consequently, the results showed that the hypothesis was significant.
Aside from the faulty communication of parents, another influence on the development of schizophrenia might be the high levels of conflict that exists within the family of the individual. In addition, the mistreatment of the family and lack of expression of emotion might also contribute to the disorder.
Recent research has suggested that, as with other problems, difficult family relationships in childhood and adolescence may be an important contributing factor for some people, but not all. It is unlikely that we will ever be able to say with any certainty exactly which combination of factors, in what proportions, has caused any one individual to develop psychotic experiences at a particular time.
However, research has revealed an important role the family can play in helping in the recovery of a person with psychotic experiences. In particular, attitudes of friends and relatives towards the person, and how they understand and react to the person's experiences are very important. They can also influence the extent to which the person is able to recover.
References:
Davison, G.C. & Neale, J.M (2001). Abnormal psychology. (8th ed.). New York: John Wiley
and Sons, Inc.
British Psychological Society web site. Available URL: mentalhealthcare.org.uk/schizophrenia/ causes/familyrelationships
Davison, G.C. & Neale, J.M (2001). Abnormal psychology. (8th ed.). New York: John Wiley
and Sons, Inc.
British Psychological Society web site. Available URL: mentalhealthcare.org.uk/schizophrenia/ causes/familyrelationships
Written By: Lani Diana Santos
Date: 2004
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