Social environment and longevity in schizophrenia.

Objective: The role of social support as a predictor of long-term survival among patients with schizophrenia was examined.

Methods: Social histories were abstracted from the medical records of a cohort of 133 deceased schizophrenic patients admitted for inpatient treatment between 1934 and 1944. Two independent raters assessed the quantity and quality of support available in each patient's social environment.