A Repertory Grid Investigation of the Concept of Illness by Parents of Schizophrenic Patients

¹ Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry, Athens University Psychiatric Clinic, Eginition Hospital, 74 Vasilissis Sophias Avenue, Athens, Greece
² Registrar, Athens University Psychiatric Clinic, Eginition Hospital, 74 Vasilissis Sophias Avenue, Athens, Greece
³ Professor and Chairman, Athens University Psychiatric Clinic, Eginition Hospital, 74 Vasilissis Sophias Avenue, Athens, Greece

The work was performed in two phases. During the first phase 29 parents of schizophrenic patients and 24 parents of patients suffering from physical illnesses were given a grid the Elements of which were physical and mental illnesses. Constructs were elicited and it was found that important Constructs, i.e. those with highest relationship scores, were different in the two groups. Parents of schizophrenic patients were concerned with psychological features of illnesses while parents of physically ill patients were concerned with physical features of illnesses. Mean [See FIG. I. and TABLE IV in source PDF.] group Intensity scores were not significantly different.

During the second phase of the research 14 constructs frequently used by subjects during the first phase were used to form a new grid which was given to new samples of parents. Elements were selected by the subjects. The groups were compared by means of relationships scores for the 14 constructs used. Six Constructs discriminated the groups significantly. Mean relationship scores for all 14 Constructs used were higher in the group of parents of patients suffering from physical illnesses. The difference in the scores of the six constructs discriminating the groups was mainly accounted for by differences between the mothers.