[Coping in children of parents with schizophrenia--strikingly deceptive strategies]

Our study collected qualitative and quantitative data about the illness-related experience of burden and about the coping strategies of children aged 8 to 13, who live with parents suffering from schizophrenia. Using the method of triangulation, we compare the content of script-based interviews conducted with 10 children to data concerning cross-situational coping strategies of these children, which we collected using a standardized method (SVF-KJ). Children in this population are exposed to a special kind of burden which is characterized by an high number of situations they find beyond their control, by a lack of stable family structures and by episodes of abrupt separation from parents because of hospitalisation, which, in some cases, the children remember as traumatizing. We observed coping attempts of children who live with a heavy burden in the shape of increased instrumental problem solving approaches, while the same children simultaneously exhibiting a reduced ability to share responsibility or to avoid situations which they cannot cope with through their problem solving attempts. In cases where favourable emotion regulation fails, these children quickly exhibit higher levels of aggressive behaviour. Their great need for social support stands in opposition to difficulties to accept help or recognize help as being available, which were reported by the children. The presence of a healthy parent and an age-adequate information on the illness of their parents have proven to be beneficial to the children's coping. Our findings confirm the necessity of increased social support to children of parents with mental disorder by extending the cooperation between institutions and by supporting social networks.