An exploratory multi-level attempt to investigate intrapersonal and interpersonal patterns of 20 Athenian families

The present study is an attempt to explore patterns of family relationships in the context of milieu specific value and role assumptions and to capture the trends in relation to social change. Information collected includes intrapsychic as well as interpersonal material elicited by a combination of tools administered individually and conjointly. The revealed patterns -- extreme emphasis on the future achievement of the child as a shared family goal, the mother's central role which was shown to inhibit constructive processes, the distant marital relationship, and scapegoating of the child because of denied marital difficulties -- are shown to create conflict and tension in all members and render cooperation and decision-making difficult. It is attempted to interpret the above-mentioned patterns in the light of traditional value and role assumptions. The analysis seems to indicate that the adherence to the dysfunctional patterns appears to serve the function of preserving stability of the family in a period of transition.