SOCIAL RISK-FACTORS IN SCHIZOPHRENIA

In analyzing the relationship between social factors and schizophrenia one can distinguish two research strategies. Studies can focus on ind ividual differences or the aggregate level. Several investigations ind icate that social factors, e,g., low socioeconomic status, single stat us, ethnic group, are significantly associated with the prevalence of schizophrenia. To explain this relationship most investigators favor t he hypothesis of social selection rather than a social causation. This view is also supported by an ecological study of the incidence of psy chiatrically treated schizophrenic disorders in the city of Mannheim.