THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MARITAL-STATUS FOR THE COURSE AND PROGNOSIS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA

The study is aimed at establishing possible correlation between marita l status and the course of schizophrenia, as well as its prognosis. Th is prospect study was conducted on a representative sample of all hosp italized patients with schizophrenia in the Republic of Croatia. 402 p atients were included in the study, and they were followed up during t heir life-time. The results show that marital status is a discriminati ve factor that can determine the course and prognosis of schizophrenia Schizophrenic patients who were married or widowed while in the most positive course of their illness, and divorced ones, are in the least favorable situation. Marital status is a multiple determining feature, involving various psychological and social factors, but also the natu re of the illness - its clinical features, and, on the other hand, it determines the type of the care, emotional and other support to the pa tient. Marital status could therefore be viewed as one of the most sig nificant factors influencing the prognosis and outcome of schizophreni a.