Social class and type of schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE: Current and past research strongly indicates a high prevalence of schizophrenia in the lower class in the USA and other stratified societies. To date, no study has tested for a connection between type of schizophrenia and socioeconomic status (SES). We tested for an interrelationship between schizophrenic subtype, SES and race. METHODS: Positive and negative symptom scales were used to evaluate 436 schizophrenic patients at a state hospital in the USA. All patients were also diagnosed by DSM standards. Social class of origin was assessed by the Occupational Classification Distributions of the U.S. Bureau of the Census. Multivariate analysis was conducted with the likelihood ratio chi-square. RESULTS: We uncovered a distinct propensity for deficit schizophrenia to be elevated among the poor. The finding presents as a pure SES effect since the likelihood of deficit schizophrenia does not vary by race when social class is held constant. CONCLUSION: The finding is potentially an important new insight into the epidemiology of schizophrenia. It offers a better understanding for poor outcome among lower class patients in stratified societies such as the United States. It is also consistent with longitudinal research by European investigators.

Prenatal illness and subtypes of schizophrenia: the winter pregnancy phenomenon.

Seasonality of birth patterns is examined among a sample of 801 patients with schizophrenia separated into Type I and Type II schizophrenia. Findings indicate that both groups of patients were in utero during the winter but during different trimesters. Patients with Type I schizophrenia were more likely to be in utero during the third trimester. Patients with Type II schizophrenia were more likely to have been in the womb during the first trimester. Implications for fetal brain development are discussed.

The beliefs of members of the American Psychiatric Association on the etiology of male homosexuality: a national survey.

This study is an analysis of psychiatrists' (N = 508) attitudes with regard to the etiology of male homosexuality. A random sample of members of the American Psychiatric Association revealed an endorsement of a biological perspective. Attitudes were further analyzed with regard to variation by school of thought, practice setting, and number of years practicing psychiatry.

Gestational and neonatal factors in the etiology of schizophrenia.

This study evaluates research on gestational and neonatal factors implicated as causes of schizophrenia. These include obstetrical complications (particularly gestational hypoxia), viral infections, autoimmune agents, developmental deficits, and maternal stress. Evidence strongly suggests that these factors are importantly connected to the onset of adult schizophrenia.

A national survey of mental health professionals concerning the causes of early infantile autism.

This study is an analysis of mental health professionals' (N = 221) attitudes with regard to the etiology of infantile autism. A random sample of members of the American Psychiatric Association reveals a strong endorsement of a biogenic perspective. Attitudes are analyzed further with regard to variation by school of thought and number of years treating autistic patients.

The attitudes of psychiatrists toward etiological theories of schizophrenia: 1975-1985.

This study is an analysis of psychiatrists' (N = 339) attitudes with regard to the etiology of schizophrenia. A random sample of members of the American Psychiatric Association reveals a strong endorsement of a combined biogenic/environmental perspective. Attitudes are analyzed further with regard to variation by school of thought, years in practice, and treatment setting. Findings are compared with an earlier study to plot shifts in opinions among psychiatrists over time.

Political orientation and occupational values of college youth, 1969 and 1981: a shift toward uniformity.

McFalls and Gallagher (1979) have found a strong relationship between the occupational values and political orientations of college students. Their study was based on the results of a sample survey conducted in 1969. However, the political climate on college campuses has changed dramatically, and so has the nature of the job market. A new survey was conducted in 1981 which was identical to the 1969 survey. Its objective was to determine if the same political group differentials in occupational values which existed in the politically tumultuous late sixties and early seventies still hold in the more placid 1980s. The findings are reported here.

The "winter born phenomenon" among schizophrenics: differences between blacks and whites.

Reviewed the literature on birth seasonality among schizophrenics and reported data on highly significant differences between the quarterly birth patterns of black and white schizophrenics (N = 724). The findings strongly indicate that specific subgroups of schizophrenics are especially likely to be winter-borns. Log-linear analyses uncovered a highly significant difference between the birth seasons of black and white patients. Black schizophrenics are especially likely to be winter-borns, while white schizophrenics had a birth peak in the fall. We speculate about the causes of this race-specific finding from a perspective that is sociological and neurophysiological.

The attitudes of psychiatrists toward etiological theories of schizophrenia.

This study is an analysis of psychiatrists' opinions on the etiology of schizophrenia. A random sample of members of the American Psychiatric Association uncovers a general hesitation on their part to subscribe to any particular etiological theory. Only four theories are viewed as causally related to schizophrenia: social isolation, cognitive breakdown, biochemical imbalance, and maternal deprivation. Attitudes toward etiological theories are significantly different among psychoanalysts, behaviorists, and eclectics. Attitudes also are related to the setting in which the psychiatrist practices.