Am J Psychiatry 1978; 135:1333-1339
Copyright © 1978 by American Psychiatric Association
The social context of schizophrenia
JK Wing
During the past 25 years psychiatry has increased its understanding of the
social context of schizophrenia in four major areas. Reasonable reliability
can now be achieved in describing and recognizing many of the acute and
chronic syndromes, so that comparability can be achieved between different
research teams. Much is now known about the proximate social causes of
symptoms and disabilities. The relationship between social and
pharmacological treatments is now better understood. A more rational
approach to the planning and prescription of services and to the counseling
of patients and relatives can be made. Each of these lines of advance
promises to lead to further progress in the future.
