The Effect of Paternal Huntington’s Disease on Male Adolescence

This article examines the effects of paternal Huntington’s disease upon male adolescents. The father’s influence on male adolescent identity formation, the effect of the loss of the father, the relationships between sons & unaffected mothers, individual psychopathology & intervention are all discussed. Two case examples are presented as illustration. In each case, the adolescent involved had made suicidal gestures. (29 refs.)