Department of Psychiatry, University of Naples SUN, Naples, Italy.
Int Rev Psychiatry. 2012 Apr;24(2):149-56. doi: 10.3109/09540261.2012.656306.
In Italy family is characterized by strong ties and is based on mutual aid of all its members. In the last 20 years, the structure of families has been significantly influenced by demographic, economic and professional changes, determining a transition from a patriarchal to a nuclear family model, with a higher number of single-parent families, single-person households, childless couples, same-sex couples. However, this transition has been slower than that occurring in other countries, probably as an ongoing impact of prevalent Catholic ideology. Major demographic changes in Italian families include, 1) a decrease in the number of marriages, delays in getting married and an high number of civil ceremonies, 2) a reduced birth rate; Italy is becoming one of the European countries with lowest growth rate, and with an increasing number of births out of wedlock, 3) an increased marital instability, with a constantly growing number of legal separations. Like many countries, relatives in Italy are highly involved in the care of patients with physical and mental disorders. There are a number of psychosocial interventions used in Italy including the 'Milan Systemic Approach' and family psycho-educational interventions. However, there are difficulties in implementing these interventions which are highlighted in this paper. We recommend research strategies to identify the best options to involve families in the care of mentally ill patients and to adequately support them.
在意大利，家庭的特点是关系紧密，并且其成员之间相互帮助。在过去的 20 年中，家庭结构受到人口、经济和职业变化的显著影响，从父权制家庭向核心家庭模式转变，单亲家庭、单身家庭、无子女夫妇和同性伴侣的数量有所增加。然而，这种转变比其他国家慢，这可能是普遍存在的天主教意识形态的持续影响。意大利家庭的主要人口变化包括：1）结婚人数减少，结婚推迟，以及更多的民事仪式；2）出生率下降；意大利正成为欧洲出生率最低的国家之一，非婚生子女的数量不断增加；3）婚姻稳定性降低，合法分居的数量不断增加。与许多国家一样，意大利的亲戚在照顾身心障碍患者方面发挥着重要作用。意大利使用了许多心理社会干预措施，包括“米兰系统方法”和家庭心理教育干预措施。然而，在实施这些干预措施方面存在困难，本文对此进行了强调。我们建议采取研究策略，确定让家庭参与精神疾病患者护理并为其提供充分支持的最佳选择。
