Healthy Functioning in Families with a Schizophrenic Parent

Abstract

This is a study using Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales (FACES IV) that surveyed married couples with children where one person was schizophrenic. A surprising finding was that both the patient and their partner rated their family in the healthy range. Using the Circumplex Model where balanced scores are healthy, most of the patients (78%) and spouses (87%) described their family as balanced. Both groups saw their family as “flexible to very flexible” and “connected to very connected.” In terms of the unbalanced aspects of their family (disengaged, enmeshed, rigid, and chaotic), the vast majority of patients and spouses rated these traits as low or very low. Both the patients and spouses described the family communication as more negative than positive. In terms of family satisfaction, it was low for over half of the patients and partners. In summary, these families with a schizophrenic parents generally were functioning well in spite of this major disorder in one parent.