Abstract
This paper reviews three areas of research on the health of the chronically mentally ill: (1) epidemiological studies on this population, (2) studies exploring the clinical interface of physical and psychiatric disorder, and (3) studies illuminating barriers to adequate health care for this population. Its purpose is to increase our understanding of the unique health problems facing the chronically mentally ill so that appropriate interventions can be developed. The review suggests that greater attention to this area should result in improved physical health as well as improved psychiatric intervention. The implications for policy, practice, and research are discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allness, D. (1981). Personal Communication.
Anderson, W. H.: The Physical Examination in Office PracticeAmerican Journal of Psychiatry, 1980,137, 1188–1192.
Babigian, H.M., and Odoroff, C.L. The Mortality Experience of a Population With Psychiatric Illness.American Journal of Psychiatry, 1969,126, 263–70.
Berkman, L.F., and Syme, S.L. Soeical Networks, Host Resistance, and Mortality—A Nine-Year Follow-Up of Alameda County Residents.American Journal of Epidemiology, 1979,107, 186–203.
Black, D.W., Warrack, G., and Winokur, G. The Iowa Record Linkage Study. I. Suicides and Accidental Deaths Among Psychiatric Patients.Archives of General Psychiatry, 1985a,42, 71–75.
Black, D.W., Warrack, G., and Winokur, G. The Iowa Record Linkage Study. II. Excess Mortality Among Patients with Organic Mental Disorders.Archives of General Psychiatry, 1985b,42, 78–81.
Black, D. W., Warrack, G., and Winokur, G. The Iowa Record Linkage Study. II. Excess Mortality Among Patients with “Functional” Disorders.Archives of General Psychiatry, 1985c,42, 82–88.
Brody, E. Factors in the Recognition and Management of the Non-Hospitalized Schizophrenic as a Medical Patient.Modern Treatment, 1969,6, 695–703.
Broskowski, A. “Linking Mental Health and Health Care Systems” inThe Modern Practice of Community Mental Health, Schulberg, H.C. and Killilea, M. (eds.), San Francisco: Jossey Bass, 1982.
Burns, B. “Neighborhood Health Center Model.” In: National Institute of Mental Health Series DN No. 2,Mental Health Services in Primary Care Settings., DHHS Publication No. (ADM) 80-995, Washington D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1980.
Burke, J.D., Burns, B.J., O'Flaherty, H., and Broskowski, A. “A Linkage Relationships in the Federal Health-Mental Health Linkage Initiative: Clinical and Organizational Aspects.” Paper presented at the Annual Meeting to the American Psychiatric Association, San Francisco, CA, 1980.
Cash, T.F., and Stack, J.J. Locus of Control Among Schizophrenics and Other Hospitalized Psychiatric Patients.Genetic Psychology Monographs, 1973,87, 105–122.
Chaglasian, D.L., and Jackson, P. The Forgotten Woman: Another Victim of Deinstitutionalization. Unpublished paper, 1980.
Cromwell, R.D., Rosenthal, D., Shakow, D., and Zahn, T.P. Reaction Time, Locus of Control, Choice Behavior, and Description of Parental Behavior in Schizophrenic and Normal Subjects.Journal of Sociology, 1968,29, 363–80.
Friedson, E. Client Control and Medical Practice.American Journal of Sociology, 1960,65, 374–82.
Haddon, W.C. Basic Data on the Health Needs of Adults Ages 25–74 Years, United States, 1971–75.Vital and Health Statistics: Series II, Data from the National Health Survey; No. 218, DHHS publication No. (PHS 81-1668), 1975.
Hall, R., Gardner, E.R., Popkin, M.K., LeCann, A.F., and Slickeny, S.K. Unrecognized Physical Illness Prompting Psychiatric Admission: A Prospective Study.American Journal of Psychiatry, 1981,138, 629–35.
Haugland, G., Craig, T.J., Goodman, A.B., and Siegel, C. Mortality in the Era of Deinstitutionalization.American Journal of Psychiatry, 1983,140, 858–52.
Hossenlopp, C.M., and Holland, J. Ambulatory Patients With Medical and Psychiatric Illness: Care in a Special Medical Clinic.International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, 1977–78,8, 1–11.
Jefferson, J.W., and Marshall, J.R.Neuropsychiatric Features of Mental Disorders. New York and London: Plenum Medical Book Company, 1981.
Karasu, T.B., Waltzman, S., Lindenmeyer, J.P., and Buckley, P.J. The Medical Care of Patients with Psychiatric Illness.Hospital and Community Psychiatry, 1980,31, 463–72.
Katz, J.S., Kunofsky, S., Patton, R.E., and Attaway, N.C. Cancer Mortality Rates Among Patients in New York Mental Hospitals.Cancer, 1967,20, 2194–99.
Koranyi, E. Morbidity and Rate of Undiagnosed Physical Illness in a Psychiatric Population.Archives of General Psychiatry, 1979,36, 414–19.
Lieberman, A.A. Factors Affecting the Health of the Chronically Mentally Ill. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Ann Arbor, Michigan: University Microfilms, International, No. 1707, 1983.
Lieberman, A.A. “Factors Affecting the Health of the Chronically Mentally Ill: What the Practitioner-Educator Should Know.” Paper presented at the Annual Program Meeting, Council on Social Work Education, Mar. 7–10, 1982, New York, NY.
Lottman, T.J., and DeWolfe, A.S. Internal vs. External Control in Reactive and Process Schizophrenia.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1972,39, 344.
Martin, R.L., Cloninger, R., Guze, S.B., and Clayton, P.J. Mortality in a Follow-Up of 500 Psychiatric Outpatients. II. Cause-Specific Mortality.Archives of General Psychiatry, 1985,42, 47–54.
Martin, R.L., Cloninger, R., Guze, S.B., and Clayton, P.J. Mortality in a Follow-Up of 500 Psychiatric Outpatients. II. Cause-Specific Mortality.Archives of General Psychiatry, 1985,42, 58–66.
Mechanic, D. Socio-cultural and Social-Psychological Factors Affecting Personal Response to Disorder.Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 1975,16, 393–404.
Mowry, D. (in process). Social Supports in the Chronically Mentally Ill. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Nathanson, C.A. Sex Roles as Variables in Preventive Health Behavior.Journal of Community Health, 1977,3, 142–55.
Pear, R. Proposals for Mentally Disabled Ease Eligibility for U.S. Benefits. Special to theNew York Times, December 8, 1984, Sec. 3, p. 1.
Regner, D.A., Goldberg, I.D., and Taube, C.A. Thede facto U.S. Mental Health Services System—A Public Health Perspective.Archives of General Psychiatry, 1978,35, 685–93.
Roth, J.A. Some Contingencies of the Moral Evaluation and Control of Clientele.American Journal of Sociology, 1972,77, 839–856.
Segal, S.P., and Baumohl, J. Engaging the Disengaged: Proposals on Madness and Vagrancy.Social Work, 1980,25, 358–365.
Serban, G. and Thomas A.Attitudes and Behaviors of Acute and Chronic Schizophrenic Patients Regarding Ambulatory Treatment.American Journal of Psychiatry 1974,131, 991–95.
Stein, L.I., and Test, M.A. “Alternatives to Mental Hospital Treatment: I. Conceptual Model, Treatment Program, and Clinical Evaluation.Archives of General Psychiatry,37, 392–97.
Strickland, B. Internal-External Expectancies and Health-Related Behaviors.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1978,46, 1192–1211.
Tsuang, M.T., Woolson, R.I., and Fleming, J. Premature Deaths in Schizophrenia and Affective Disorders: An Analysis of Survival Curves and Variables Affecting Shortened Survival.Archives of General Psychiatry, 1980,37, 979–83.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The authors wish to thank Drs. Mary Ann Test, Steven P. Segal, and the anonymous reviewers for their comments on earlier drafts of this paper.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lieberman, A.A., Coburn, A.F. The health of the chronically mentally ill: A review of the literature. Community Ment Health J 22, 104–116 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00754549
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00754549