Several clinicians have theorized that somatic and residential
treatments have an untoward effect on the eventual outcome of major mental
illness. To test this hypothesis, the author studied social coping behavior
of mentally ill people in Laos, a predominantly peasant society with no
psychiatrists or psychiatric hospitals. The Lao folk term baa ("crazy" or
insane) was used in determining cases. Social factors studied included
legal problems, family contact, sociability, friendship, communal
activities, sexuality, and work. Results indicated that levels of social
function in this sample were quite limited. The author concludes that
social disability associated with chronic psychosis cannot be ascribed
totally to diagnostic labeling or institutionalization.Abstract Teaser