Early parental deprivation and later behavioural outcomes: cluster analysis study of normal and abnormal groups.

Abstract

Despite high figures recorded from the normal population early parental deprivation is commoner in psychiatric and deviant populations. This deprivation and its aftermath is qualitatively different when normal and abnormal samples are contrasted. Suicidal, delinquent, criminal, alcoholic, neurotic, socially deviant and normal groups were studied on variables related to early parental deprivation and other family characteristics. By the classificatory strategy, cluster analysis, three abnormal and two normal groups were generated. It was concluded that the vulnerability of selected individuals in certain families is compounded when these individuals are exposed to the unique specific effects of the various types of parental deprivation.