Peculiar Internality in Family Relations of Ischaemic Heart Disease Patients

Abstract

The study shows the importance of economic deprivation in a situation of severe somatic disease using ischemic heart disease patients as an example. This factor affects the subjective control in significant social relationships including family relationships. The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of the disease situation and economic deprivation on presence of internality in family relationships. We assume that internality in family relationships can be both a resource of adaptation in a difficult life situation and also an additional cause of traumatization. In the control group, internality in family relationships is linked to the awareness of the own identity, but in groups of patients with ischemic heart disease is linked to the reliance on family resources. It can be said, that internality in family relationships requires psychological maturity of an individual. The analyzed situations of disease, disability and economic deprivation reduce control in the relationships, therefore, the possibility of obtaining family support becomes more problematic.