When a family member has a schizophrenic disorder: practice issues across the family life cycle.

Viewing individuals with schizophrenic disorders within a family life-cycle context promotes recognition of the range of family roles, particularly partnership and parenting roles, in clients' lives. Knowledge of clients' stage of family development allows practitioners to view the client more holistically--as a family member with roles and responsibilities--instead of as an isolated, ill individual. Gender differences--in family roles and in manifestation of the illness--are considered.