Ethnicity and family involvement in the treatment of schizophrenic patients.

In a cross-ethnic study of neuroleptic response, the level of family involvement with the treatment of 26 Asian and 26 Caucasian patients was evaluated. Asian family members were intimately involved, Caucasians much less so. These results quantitatively demonstrated the relatively greater importance of working with family members when treating Asian patients. They also indicate that relatively more effort is needed to increase involvement of Caucasian families in the treatment process.