Formal aspects of achieving consensus of opinion in families with a schizophrenic son
Angermeyer, M.C.; Burr, W.; Schwoon, D.R.
Psychotherapie Psychosomatik Medizinische Psychologie 30(1): 15-21
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0937-2032 PMID: 7394146 Document Number: 167986
In 30 families with a son who had to be hospitalized for the 1st time because of a schizophrenic psychosis, formal aspects of achieving consensus of opinion were examined on the basis of data of results of family discussions induced via the revealed differences technique. A control group consisted of 28 families of parallel age, school education and social status having a son who was undergoing inpatient treatment for a disease requiring surgery. This study revealed a deficiency in primarily existing consensus and consensus newly produced by discussion, regarding the tackling of familial everyday problems. Over and above this, all family members displayed a clear tendency towards self-denial of their own private opinion to avoid conflict. At the same time the sons and mothers insisted on their positions once these had been made public. The results are discussed against the background of an approach which necessarily complements the conventional concepts of family dynamic, taking into consideration the differences between father and mother, which are due to the sex-conditioned role played by each, when confronted with the psychosis of their son once it has become manifest.