Further data concerning the relation between premorbid adjustment and paranoid symptomatology

This study examines the relationship between premorbid adjustment and paranoid status in acute schizophrenia. In order to avoid limitations of previous studies, premorbid adjustment (based on the UCLA Social Attainment Scale) was considered at five levels instead of the usual binary classification (good vs. poor) and paranoid symptomatology (using the Venables and O'Connor Scale) was considered rather than paranoid diagnosis. In a sample of 112 first lifetime admission schizophrenics, a positive linear relationship was found between premorbid adjustment and paranoid symptoms. Definite paranoid symptomatology was largely absent at the lowest levels of premorbidity and increased progressively with more adequate premorbid adjustment. The one exception to this linear trend was noted for the highest (most superior) level of premorbid adjustment where an increase of nonparanoid cases was observed.