MENTAL-ILLNESS AND FAMILY RESPONSE - A STUDY OF COPING TECHNIQUES

This paper studies the adjustments made by the family members when one member develops mental illness. Data has been collected from one significant member, from 100 families. Subjects were contacted when the patients were brought for the first time to the mental hospital. Several coping techniques have been noted. Families have used most of these and have moved from one to another. The coping techniques used are a function of the family's reaction to abnormal behaviour. The use of multiple coping techniques is inevitable due to the lack of clarity regarding appropriate help sources. The coping techniques are adopted in the pre-hospitalisation stages.