Late effects of early dependency need deprivation: the meal ticket syndrome

A psychiatric condition disabling to persons in the fifth and sixth decades is described. Approximately 51 per cent of nearly 1,000 Social Security Disability applicants sampled presented a wide variety of somatic and psychological complaints, but no severe psychiatric disorder. This group is characterized by inability to continue gainful employment. Commencement of full-time employment before age 16 years (59 per cent) and level of education were the only significant differences between this group and psychotic applicants; another 33 per cent began full-time work before age 20 years. 88-5 per cent of the families of these persons remained intact until after they began work. Apparently, being thrust into the responsibilities of adulthood earlier than their peers contributed to the early disability.