Psychosis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Psychosis, including details on clinical depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder.

Socioeconomic status of origin and the clinical expression of Schizophrenia.

Parrott B, Lewine R

Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, KY 40292, USA. brooke.parrott@louisville.edu

The concentrated focus on biology during the "decade of the brain" has resulted in decreased attention to the indisputable influence of psychosocial and sociocultural factors in the expression of schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the socioeconomic background of the origin and the clinical manifestation of schizophrenia. Parent socioeconomic information and clinical symptom data from 120 (84 men and 36 women) schizophrenia and schizoaffective patients were analyzed. Results suggested that higher parental SES (socioeconomic status) is associated with decreased symptom severity in female patients, but with increased symptom severity and decreased global functioning in male patients. Possible interactions between socioeconomic status and sex of patient are discussed, as well as suggestions for further study.

Published 11 May 2005 in Schizophr Res, 75(2): 417-24.
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