SOCIAL SUPPORT AND DEPRESSION IN 3 GROUPS OF PSYCHIATRIC-PATIENTS ANDA GROUP OF MEDICAL CONTROLS

Levels of depression and aspects of social support were examined in gr oups of chronic schizophrenic (n = 21), depressed (n = 26) and parasui cide patients (n = 26) and in a group of medical controls (n = 25). De pression was equally severe in the parasuicide and depressed groups an d low in the schizophrenic and control groups. The psychiatric groups reported lower perceived levels of social support than did the control s. The depressed and parasuicide patients, but not the psychotic patie nts, felt dissatisfied with the available support. These results are i nterpreted as suggesting that deficiencies in social support may be mo re important in neurotic disorder, in particular depressive disorders, than in psychoses.