Uses the author’s clinical experience to clarify issues relating to the mental health of ministers’ wives & children. Psychosomatic & marital difficulties of the wives may be traced to financial, social, & familial stresses of their role, while the ego-diffusion & suicidal ideation often seen in the children may result from role expectations & a rigid belief system. Therapy often involves the family, but individual motivation for insight & working through the relationship is usually high. (RM)