Although most patients with schizophrenia rely on public financial
support, little is known about how soon after the onset of illness such
dependence occurs. Forty-eight patients with schizophrenia were followed
for a mean of five years after their first hospitalization to examine their
reliance on public support. At one year after their first hospitalization,
27 subjects (56 percent) were primarily supported by social service
agencies. Once such support was initiated, it was maintained throughout the
entire follow-up period for all patients except two. The findings indicate
that dependence on public financial assistance begins very early in the
course of illness for most hospitalized patients with schizophrenia.
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