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Family factors associated with schizophrenia and anorexia nervosa

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Abstract

This paper reports results of a longitudinal prospective study of 65 families first assessed when they presented at a psychological clinic with a disturbed adolescent offspring. Fifty-two of the index offspring were followed up five years later and assessed using Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC). Parental attributes of communication deviance and negative affective style were associated with offspring who later manifested disorders of the extended schizophrenia spectrum. Comparison of this sample with anorectic and non-anorectic inpatient groups revealed unique patterns in the families of anorectics, which were different from those identified in the preschizophrenic cases.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles

    Michael J. Goldstein

Authors
  1. Michael J. Goldstein
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Additional information

The research described in this paper was supported by NIMH grants 08744 and 14584.

This paper was presented as the keynote address at the conference entitled “The Psychology of Adolescence” at the Institute for Psychosomatic and Psychiatric Research and Training, Michael Reese Hospital, Chicago, June 19–20, 1981.

Received his Ph.D. from University of Washington. Current research interest is family Associated with the onset and course of major psychology.

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Goldstein, M.J. Family factors associated with schizophrenia and anorexia nervosa. J Youth Adolescence 10, 385–405 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02088940

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02088940

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