Parental symbolism in the doctor image of asthmatic patients

In a group of asthmatic adult subjects (n = 88) the maternal and paternal aspects in the doctor image have been invesigated. The Semantic Differential Parental, an item list consisting of 18 paternal and 18 maternal items, was employed. With this item list the following concepts were scored: the doctor, the father, the ideal father, the mother, and the ideal mother. In the formation of the doctor image, the contribution of maternal and paternal qualities were both qualitatively as well as quantitatively studied and compared with the parental images. The acquired data are interpreted in comparison with the findings of former studies, with the same methodology, in groups of neurotic, schizophrenic and mixed psychosomatic patients. It appears that asthmatic patients consider the doctor mostly as a minimally differentiated omnipotent figure, possessing all parental qualities, but excelling by paternity, instrumental and nurturance functions. We notice a close likeness with the doctor image of the mixed group of psychosomatic patients. In contrast to neurotics, who project on the doctor more the norm giving pole of paternity and the receptivity pole of maternity, for asthmatics and psychosomatic patients in general the doctor figure is invested with the all-embracing power qualities of both parents.