Race, family interactions, and patient stabilization in schizophrenia.
This study examined family interactions associated with a failure to stabilize in schizophrenia. Fifty-eight patient and parent dyads completed a problem-solving task soon after an acute episode. Stabilization was assessed over the following 6 months. African American patients' self-initiated discussions of substance use and increased anxiety during the interaction were associated with a failure to stabilize. Nonstabilization in White patients was associated with high levels of both the patients' odd thinking and the parents' criticism. White patients who were depressed during the interaction were also less likely to stabilize. Findings suggest that family relationships may play in important role in determining whether patients stabilize after an acute episode. Results also point to the importance of cultural factors in predicting patient stabilization.
Rosenfarb
Irwin S
IS
California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University, San Diego, CA 92131, USA. irosenfa@alliant.edu
Bellack
Alan S
AS
Aziz
Nahid
N
Kratz
Katherine M
KM
Sayers
Steven
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003469:Culture; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005476:Fluphenazine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D005476:Fluphenazine