Paranoid and undifferentiated types of schizophrenia and their relationship to types of substance abuse
Abstract
Most literature reflecting studies of schizophrenia and substance abuse broadly defines schizophrenia and few identify the type of schizophrenia of the subjects and the types of substances they use. There are some studies that produce data on two types of schizophrenia, paranoid and undifferentiated types, and others which examine various specific substances in relation to the broad category of schizophrenia. However, no single study has concentrated on patients with paranoid and undifferentiated schizophrenia to determine whether differences exist in the choice of substances used. This study explored the following questions: Is there any difference in the choice of substance abuse among paranoid and undifferentiated type of schizophrenic patients, and will this relationship vary according to certain characteristics of the patients, namely, their gender, ethnic origin, level of education, marital status and source of income? In addition, this study presents an additional question as to whether there is a relationship between paranoid and undifferentiated schizophrenic patients, type of substance abuse and present living situation? The results of this research indicate that there was no difference in type of schizophrenia and type of substance abuse. However, when present living situation was introduced as an independent variable, significant differences were identified in substance activity between paranoid and undifferentiated schizophrenic patients. Paranoid schizophrenic patients who resided in supervised residential services abused a greater amount of substances, a greater amount of different substances, and a greater amount of stimulants, sedatives and hallucinogens in comparison to undifferentiated patients who resided in supervised residential services.
Subject Area
Social work|Mental health|Psychotherapy|Public health
Recommended Citation
Grillo-DiDomenico, Beatrice, "Paranoid and undifferentiated types of schizophrenia and their relationship to types of substance abuse" (1998). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI9825880.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI9825880
