[Stress factors in psychiatric hospitalization]

The incidence of stressful life events in the six months previous to psychiatric hospitalization is studied in a group of patients allotted to different diagnostic categories but which held in common that they were at their first episode of inpatient treatment. The presence of early life events during childhood and of chronic stress during the last year is also investigated. The different kind of responses to LE are described, classified in several categories. The incidence of LE in the patients is compared with that of a group of acute traumatologic hospital inpatients. In every case it has been used the Paykel LE rating scale, the Brown and Harris interview schedule and the GAF. Results are analyzed and their implications in preventive and treatment programs in Mental Health are discussed.