[Aspects of emotional stress on relatives of schizophrenic patients].

Based on data acquired during first weekend leave of schizophrenic in-patients, variables are identified related to high emotional strain for patients (n = 78) and family members (n = 121). This attempt is successful only when examining data for mothers and fathers separately. Mothers feel more emotional pressure when patients lie in bed for prolonged periods, and develop increasing feelings of guilt the more obviously patients are socially handicapped in daily life. Fathers, however, significantly react to the length of time patients spend at home. For both parents correlations are found between emotional stress and critical, hostile attitudes toward the patient (measured by the Camberwell Family Interview); none with emotional over-involvement.