DIFFERENCES IN COMMUNICATIVE IMPACT BETWEEN MOTHERS OF PSYCHOTIC AND NONPSYCHOTIC CHILDREN

Problems of communicating therapeutically with mothers of psychotic children are explored from the vantage point of subjective reactions which the mothers' verbal interview behavior evokes in therapists. Comparison is made with therapists' reactions elicited by a control group of mothers of less severely disturbed children. Significant differences appear in the intensity of the aroused, unconscious involvement and in the clarity of the images the mothers conveyed about themselves and their relationship to their child.