Of the female patients (N = 26) on a state hospital unit who remained
chronically institutionalized and actively psychotic despite
psychopharmacologic and psychosocial treatment, 12 (46%) reported histories
of childhood incest. These 12 patients were more likely than the others to
engage socially with ward staff. A higher proportion had sexual delusions,
affective symptoms, substance abuse, suspected organicity, and major mental
problems, and they spent more time in seclusion than other patients. The
authors acknowledge the difficulty of assessing the accuracy of reports of
incest. They discuss the implications of a possible relationship between
incest and severe, intractable psychotic disorder.Abstract Teaser