This study explored the relationship between family members' perceptions of each other and the roles each member plays in the family (Wegscheider, 1981). In addition, this study explored differences between a clinical and non-clinical sample as it related to the variables, perceptual congruence, and role behavior. / A criterion sample of 41 intact families with only two adolescents between the ages of 12-19 was used for this study. Two questionnaires and a demographic sheet were administered and collected during a one-time visit with each family. / The findings indicate a significant relationship between the accuracy of family members' views of each other in families and their perceptions of their roles as scapegoats and/or lost children. When individuals perceived themselves as scapegoats and/or lost children in their own families of origin, or in the present family, other family members were significantly less likely to perceive them the same as these individuals perceived themselves. Families with a scapegoat and/or lost child had significantly higher levels of distortion in perception than families without these roles. / This study found no differences between clinical and non-clinical families, in relation to perceptual congruence level. In addition, no differences were found between families with or without extreme role identifications and level of perceptual congruence. / Additional findings for this study include a significant relationship between mother's full-time employment and the presence of a scapegoat and/or lost child family member. The family member that was most likely (p $<$.05) to perceive themselves as the scapegoat and/or lost child from their own families of origin was the father of the family when the mother was employed full-time. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-06, Section: B, page: 2381. / Major Professor: Mary Hicks. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1988.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_76321 |
| Contributors | LeGare, Noreen., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 146 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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