Personal Networks and the Schizophrenias *

Abstract

It is likely that certain elements in the individual's current social environment act causally in the onset of schizophrenia. The construct known as ‘social support’ has recently been invoked as one such element which, when deficient, may be a causal factor. The evidence for this is unsatisfactory and likely to remain so. For clinical purposes, it would be more useful to look at the effect of social relationships in secondary and tertiary prevention.