PSYCHOSOMATISCHE ASPEKTE DER ELTERN-KIND-BEZIEHUNG BEI ATOPISCHEM EKZEM IM KINDESALTER. II. ERZIEHUNGSSTIL, FAMILIENSITUATION IM ZEICHENTEST UND STRUKTURIERTE INTERVIEWS

To evaluate the style of education in this group of children, 'scale versions' according to Stapf were used. Mothers of atopic children were found to be significantly more 'strict' in their educational approach compared with control mothers (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the two groups of fathers. In particular, mothers of atopic children significantly more often favored 'grown-up' behavior in their children and the capacity to enjoy the joy of children was significantly less pronounced compared with controls. In the children's drawings, children with atopic eczema lacked the 'friendly atmosphere' expressed in drawings of control children. Fathers of atopic children were drawn significantly smaller than the respective mothers. In animal drawings, children with atopic eczema mostly selected unpleasant or dangerous animals to describe their parents, brothers, or sisters. From the structured inverviews, the following points were remarkable: atopic children more often display aggressive thoughts or behavior against their parents than do controls. Mothers of atopic children react less spontaneously and less emotionally to children's emotions. Maternal affection often takes place as a hygienic ritual or in a body and achievement-oriented fashion. Mothers of atopic children like them to behave in a 'grown-up' manner.