Impaired ability of schizophrenics, relative to manics or depressives, to appreciate social knowledge about their culture

Article Abstract:

A multiple-choice questionnaire previously developed by the authors to measure one aspect of schizophrenic thought disorder was adapted in the present study to rectify a criticized defect, namely the inability to distinguish manic from schizophrenic thought disorder. Three 20-member groups of patients with schizophrenia, manic disorder, or depressive disorder were given an 18-item questionnaire to assess their social knowledge and their everyday knowledge. They were also given an attention test to ensure that 'incorrect' answers were not the result of attention deficits. The appendix to this article includes examples of the social knowledge and everyday knowledge questions. For example, to the question, Why do you think the divorce rate is going up?, the subject could choose one of the following answers: (a) rising birth rate; (b) too many police around; (c) rise in cost of living; (d) divorce laws are less strict. It was found, on the basis of the small sample answering a limited number of questions, that the schizophrenics did poorly relative to depressives, though they were only significantly worse than the manic patients on the social knowledge component of the test. The authors theorize that such incompetent social judgments are a fundamental aspect of schizophrenia. They add that it is conceivable that deficient social knowledge only characterizes a subgroup of schizophrenics. In any case, the purpose of the study was to record behavior; explanation may be the subject of future research. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Psychological aspects, Identification and classification, Social perception

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The incidence of schizophrenia in Croatia

Article Abstract:

Research has indicated that the incidence of schizophrenia in various populations differs. While this is held to be basically true, the rates can also be influenced by investigational methods such as diagnostic criteria and methodology. There is evidence that incidence of schizophrenia within populations tends to remain fairly stable over time, but some reports have refuted this. To analyze the incidence of schizophrenia in Croatia, data were collected, including male and female schizophrenic incidence admissions, population size, and sex and age variables. Data were collected over a period of 20 years. It was found that admission rates for schizophrenia were constant over the years (from 0.21 to 0.22 per 1,000 per year; 0.26 to 0.29 per 1,000 per year for those over 15 years old). Males had a slightly higher rate than females. Changes in diagnostic criteria occurred over the years, as did hospital resources. These variables taken together had no net influence of the statistics found. Therefore it is assumed that the incidence of schizophrenia found is a fair estimate of the rate in the general population in Croatia. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Statistics

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Characteristics of male and female schizophrenics at first admission

Article Abstract:

Incidence studies of schizophrenia generally look at first-time admissions to psychiatric facilities. It is important to know the incidence rates and case characteristics of schizophrenics in order to track the epidemiology of the disease. In Croatia, various studies have shown that the incidence rate for schizophrenia is fairly constant, and almost evenly distributed among males and females, although males tend to be younger than females at first admission. In the present study, data were analyzed with respect to differences between male and female schizophrenics in Croatia at first admission. It was found that 65 percent of males received a diagnosis of schizophrenia at first admission compared with 56.6 percent of females. This may be a function of the difference in age at first admission and the relation between age and method of diagnosis used. Difference in age of onset may be merely a reflection of stages of disease. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

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