Stressful life events in psychiatric outpatients : a controlled study.

The present study was conducted to investigate the frequency and types of life events experienced by psychiatric outpatients and to compare these with the events experienced by a control sample consisting of their normal relatives. One hundred and sixty-six patients and an equal number of marked controls were studied. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the help of an event list. Results showed that; the patients experienced a significantly higher number of events compared to matched controls in previous one year. Desirable as well as undesirable events in all areas of life functioning were experienced more frequently by patients. Results are discussed in the light of existing information and suggestions offered for use of suitable methodology for further studies in this area.