Psychological distance in the family was measured using family doll placing and family sculpting. The theoretical formulation of a curvilinear relationship between psychological distance and maladjustment was tested. Each member of 30 intact families made three placings. The results showed that only the families of boys with conduct disorders manifested excessive distance in their overall family relationships. Unexpectedly, placements made by families with a neurotic child did not differ from those made by control families. Parents tended to place the family members closer to each other than did their children. Family doll placing and family sculpting elicited similar results. Psychological distance measures seem useful in family research and may complement other measures of family functioning.

No abstract