[The social status of schizophrenic patients during the course of 8 years catamnesis and significance of relatives for psychosocial integration].

The development of the social situation of 69 DMS-III schizophrenic out-patients is described in an 8 years follow-up. Originally all patients had lived with their relatives. Patients who lived with spouses or alone (each 20%) had quite a good outcome and a fair social integration. After 8 years 40% still lived with parents. They needed much support from them for their course of illness was moderate. 20% lived in sheltered accommodations and had a poor integration. For all the relatives were the most important reliable persons in social networks which decreased during the course of illness.