[On prevalence of parenthood in schizophrenia patients].

A clinical sample of n=370 patients suffering from schizophrenia/schizo-affective disorder (ICD-10 diagnosis F20/25) was investigated as to the prevalence of parenthood along with socio-demographic and clinical aspects. Data analysis yielded that 26.5% of the patients were parents, with women having three times more often children than men. Among those patients who had children, 41% were living together with them in the same household. The results point out that parental roles should be much more considered when treating mentally ill patients with children. This is a vital interest for the parents affected as well as for their children. Furthermore, a working cooperation between adult psychiatry and the youth help system needs to be established. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.