Décalage in moral judgement as a measure of deactualisation weakness of schizophrenic adolescents.

12 schizophrenic, 11 borderline and 20 neurotic adolescents were examined with the procedure, according to Kohlberg, to moral development. In addition, existence techniques, themes and formal personality attributes according to Thomae were assessed. In schizophrenic adolescents a very distinct discrepancy between average and the highest stage values of the moral judgement were the main result (décalage value). This distinct décalage corresponds with the previously discussed distinct ambiguity tolerance of schizophrenics that comes into being on the basis of a deactualisation weakness towards situatively stimulated representative pieces of existence. In connection with this décalage and with the other values for moral judgement are findings on life style and theme that can be interpreted in the sense of an introversion and a cry for help connected with increased resistance and present a form of illness mastering. A detachment from the parents only appears possible at the cost of an increased lability (in the area of moral and ego-identity as décalage).