Life experiences and the onset of schizophrenia

ABSTRACT

Using an Arabic version of the PSE, one hundred patients [20 with 1st schizophrenic episode and 80 with acute exacerbation] were selected from Psychiatric department of Mansoura University Hospital. Their life events histories for 4 weeks before onset or relapse were studied using Schedule of Recent Experience [SRE]. A positive association between stressful life events and onset of first schizophrenic episode was established. However, the role played by stressful events in precipitation of relapse was less pronounced. The nature of life experience may also influence the severity of illness expressed in PSE scores. The undesirable experiences were associated with higher PSE scores, while desirable experiences were associated with lower scores