title: Community mental health professionals' theoretical assumptions about families: responses to a practice simulation vignette.
abstract: Seventy-three community mental health professionals read a practice simulation vignette about a man with increased schizophrenia symptoms who appears at a community mental health agency accompanied by his parents. Professionals reported their levels of agreement that the parent/s may play a role in the man's schizophrenia symptoms and/or mental health treatment, i.e., serving as treatment resources; expecting consultation from professionals; serving as partners and allies; expressing negative emotions; expressing double bind communication; engaging in hostile behavior per the schizophrenogenic mother; having marriage conflicts; and also having a psychiatric disability. Professionals reported their level of agreement that the parents may be experiencing responses to their son's schizophrenia such as coping; grieving; adjusting to a biological illness; dealing with caregiving responsibilities/burdens; and remaining strong, resilient people. Findings revealed that this sample of mental health professionals most strongly agreed that families are coping, grieving, and positive treatment resources.
authors.affiliation: riebs1j@mail.cmich.edu
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Riebschleger
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001290:Attitude; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003376:Counseling; D005190:Family; D005192:Family Health; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D012947:Social Work; D000078329:Workforce