Treatment settings in psychiatry: long-term family and social findings

Treatment in a psychiatric unit, as distinct from a psychiatric hospital, held no benefits in the long term (5-8 years after admission) as far as the patient's mental and behavioural status and employment, or the family's burdens, health needs or attitude were concerned. Schizophrenic patients from both settings received more hospital treatment and medication, were more often unemployed, and had more adverse effect on relatives' health than neurotic or depressive patients. Hospital attendence identified relatives who expressed a need for support.