A RESEARCH NOTE ON DIAGNOSED MENTAL ILLNESS AND SOCIAL CLASS.

In this paper we propose a method for determining if there is any basis for claiming that a significantly greater incidence of schizophrenia is found in the lowest social class as compared with the other social classes. A comparison of discrepancy indices, measured by subtracting an educational weight from an occupational weight, between fathers and their schizophrenic Sons demonstrates that in all comparisons the schizophrenic Sons show a significantly lower discrepancy index than their fathers. This finding also holds true for the psycho pat hies but not for the cyclothytmic cases. The interpretation is suggested that while schizophrenics in their developmental years are able to show fair educational achievement they are at a distinct disadvantage when they enter the job market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]