The Schizophrenic Mother and Her Child: A Personality Study of Eighteen Children With Mothers Diagnosed Schizophrenic, the Catholic Guardian Society, Diocese of Brooklyn, 1964
Abstract
This study will first consider some of the research related to the various schools of thought on schizophrenia. It will then discuss the etiology and psychopathology of the disorder with an emphasis on the dominant types discovered in the cases under study. The various methods of treatment will also be observed. It will further examine the backgrounds of the children with a close scrutinization as to the possible-manifestation of schizophrenic traits. It will draw conclusions and make recommendations for early recognition and treatment of similar referral situations. This study will exclude any detailed discussion of the history of the Catholic Guardian Society. Similarly, it will exclude, for study purposes, any explanation of the many auxiliary programs of CGS. Finally, it will not attempt to evaluate variations in casework techniques or proficiency nor variations resulting from primarily cultural differences. The purpose of this inquiry is to discover if and what common personality traits are transmitted from schizophrenic mothers to their children. Since youngsters from this background situation, represent what I believe to be a significant number of our agency's population, it is wise and necessary to know the kind and degree of behavior patterns that can be expected. A basic knowledge of the general behavior patterns that can be anticipated will enable a more precise placement plan. An attempt will be made in this study to answer a multiplicity of questions: What are the similarities and differences in symptomatology and personality structure of schizophrenic mothers? What are their children's personalities like? Do the children tend to identify, (and to what extent) with the sicker or healthier aspects of their mother's personality makeup? Or with both? What kinds of adjustments do these youngsters make? What type of placement setting appears most appropriate?
Subject Area
Womens studies|Disability studies|Clinical psychology|Individual & family studies
Recommended Citation
Forte, Joseph Gabriel, "The Schizophrenic Mother and Her Child: A Personality Study of Eighteen Children With Mothers Diagnosed Schizophrenic, the Catholic Guardian Society, Diocese of Brooklyn, 1964" (1966). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI29281766.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI29281766
