Schizophrenia and social network patterns: a survey of black inner-city outpatients.

An analysis of the social networks of black schizophrenic outpatients living in the inner-city (n = 47) revealed network patterns similar to those found in schizophrenics in other populations, thereby suggesting such patterns may be found cross-culturally. Because of the diminution in network size found among old black schizophrenics, there was a potential for older schizophrenics to overload their remaining linkages, particularly kin. However, with increased age, there was less material dependence on and greater satisfaction with network members. These findings are discussed with respect to the lower readmission rates found among the aging schizophrenics.