[Intimate relations and the course of psychiatric disorders in relocated patients]

In this study we investigated empirically the association between close relationships and the course of psychiatric disorders in 94 persons who moved from the GDR to West Berlin in 1989 and showed psychiatric disorders after their arrival. The patients mostly suffered from anxious and depressive symptoms accompanied by vegetative complaints. Symptoms were clearly reduced within the follow-up period (follow-up interviews after 6 months and 2 1/2 years). There were moderate correlations between family situation and the degree of symptoms. The mere existence of a partnership was not found to influence improvement. Negative change of partnership, and more quarreling was associated with a more unfavorable course of illness. Living with children was correlated with more symptoms--particularly six months after migration--and may be an additional stress factor for successful adaptation.