Family interaction with schizophrenics and their siblings.

Abstract

24 families, each including both parents, a schizophrenic, and a nonschizophrenic adolescent, were subdivided into a parent-patient and a parent-nonpatient triad and asked to solve collectively the questions from the Comprehension and Similarities subtests of the Wechsler-Bellevue Intelligence Scale. The groups'' recorded discussions were compared for problem-solving efficiency, mutual support patterns, and parent-child sex-role alignments. Contrary to predictions, the 2 triads displayed equal efficiency; parents supported both children equally; fathers and mothers were equally dominant. Patients were more supportive of their parents than were siblings, while parental discord was more prominent in patient than in nonpatient groups.