CHILDHOOD PATTERNS PREDICTIVE OF ADULT SCHIZOPHRENIA: A 30-YEAR FOLLOW-UP STUDY

Abstract

A 30-year follow-up study of 526 children seen in a child guidance clinic shows that of the 284 so far interviewed, 10% were diagnosed in adult life as schizophrenic and 20% were diagnosed as no disease. The childhood histories and adult adjustment of the schizophrenic and no disease groups are compared. This comparison shows the following: 1. In childhood the schizophrenic group have more symptoms of all kinds than the no disease group including a large number of anti-social symptoms. 2. More areas of function were disturbed in the pre-schizophrenic child than in the child who in adult life had no psychiatric disease. 3. As adults the schizophrenics have a higher rate of mental hospitalizations than the no disease group. 4. The schizophrenic adults have a higher arrest rate than the no disease group. The schizophrenics are consequently often treated as criminals rather than mentally ill persons.