Between assistance and opposition: Relatives' coping strategies with obsessive-compulsive patients

Objective and Method: The aim of this study was to investigate the coping strategies of relatives of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. 22 narrative interviews were analysed by a Grounded Theory approach. Results: While parents in our investigation often try to educate their ill children, spouses focus on ressources of the patient. Children seem to take a parent-role in interaction with the ill father or mother. Discussion: Family members try to support patients in dealing with the illness. Therefore, different strategies to cope with OCD are developed, ranging between assisting in rituals and opposition to the symptoms.