[Relationship to families, between suspicion and partnership].

Relationship to families, between suspicion and partnership. A historical analysis of the relationships between psychiatric institutions and the families of schizophrenic patients reveals two types of contradictory influences in the way this relationship is conceived. On the one hand, the patient must be protected from the influence exerted by the family circle, a potential source of stress, and on the other, the family is considered as a full partner working for the patient's well-being. This analysis also enables the interest given to the main carers to be questioned.