FAMILY WORK FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA - SOME ISSUES FOR CHINESE IMMIGRANT FAMILIES

This paper discusses some specific issues relevant to immigrant Chines e families in the context of family work for schizophrenia. The issues include shame and guilt, isolation and mistrust of officials, the imp ortance of negotiation before details of problem-solving are worked ou t, high academic ambitions for children, and apparent 'overprotectiven ess' in the Chinese culture. It is argued that cognitive-behavioural, goal-orientated family work could be adapted well for immigrant Chines e families with a member suffering from schizophrenia. A case study is presented to illustrate how such a family was helped.