Attachment And Family Dynamic Characteristics Of Childhood Schizophrenia Patients

ObjectiveTo explore the attachment and family dynamic characteristics of childhoodschizophrenia patients.MethodSixty-three childhood schizophrenia patients (schizophrenia group) and their motherswere from outpatient and impatient department of Nanjing Brain Hospital;63age-matched normal children and adolescents (normal group) were from primary andmiddle schools. General demographical inventory, the systemic family dynamicself-rating questionnaire, Adolescent Attachment Questionnaire and Egma Minnen avBardndosnauppforstran(EMBU) were administered to all subjects.Results(1) In eight attachment dimensions, two dimensions showed significant statisticaldifferences between the two groups: the schizophrenia group had higher scores onfamily anxiety and friend negativity (t=2.07, P <0.05; t=2.63, P <0.01). Twodimensions of the systemic family dynamic self-rating questionnaire showedsignificant differences: the schizophrenia group had higher score on familyatmosphere and system logic (t=4.49, P <0.001; t=2.32, P <0.05).(2) Logistic regression analyses showed that family atmosphere，system logic, familyanxiety, friend negativity, friend anxiety, preference or refuse of father and punishseverely of mother were the risk factors of childhood schizophrenia.(3) In the normal group, family negativity and family atmosphere were significantlycorrelated; family proximity and Individualization were significantly correlated; family negativity and individualization were significantly correlated. In schizophreniagroup, friend dependence and system logic were significantly correlated. There wasno significant difference in the correlation coefficient between the two groups.(4) Path analysis indicated that: links between parental rearing behaviors andattachment and systemic family dynamic were significant, part of attachmentdimensions mediated the relation between parental rearing behaviors and systemicfamily dynamic. However, there were no significantly correlation between attachmentand systemic family dynamic.ConclusionThe attachment features of childhood schizophrenia may be different from those ofnormal ones, which reflect in much higher family anxiety and unsound friendattachment. The family atmosphere presents hostility and depression. Familymembers’ logical thinking tends to be “both…and”, and their individuation level maybe low.