Japanese Schizophrenics and the Family

Schizophrenia is a type of devastating psychiatric condition. Among various potential causes, family environmental factors may play an important role. The purposes of this study were to identify the pattterns of presentation of parental problems in Japanese schizophrenics and to evaluate the significance of the problems. Thirty-five schizophrenics were selected from medical records in a mental hospital based on DSM-III criteria. An age and gender matched control group (n = 29) was selected at random. A questionnaire form was used to collect data from both groups. The following patterns were observed significantly more in the schizophrenic group than in the control group: i) absence of both parents, ii) the presence of problems in the social life of one or both parents such as alcoholism, anti-social behavior or domestic violence and iii) a history of serious illness or injury, e.g., that which requires hospitalization over 3 days time involving problems derived from auto accidents (loss of limb) or congenital disease suffered during the formative years of the patients. Family enviromental factors appear to play a significant role in the development of schizophrenia in Japan. With changing family structures in Japan, sound family enviroment should be emphasized for the well-being of mental health in Japanese adolescent children.