Persisting symptoms in schizophrenia predicted by background factors.

A social worker's Home Inquiry was conducted for 75 schizophrenic males as soon as possible after hospitalization. A standard set of items based on this inquiry was scored in terms of nine factors. These Home Inquiry factor scores were found to have modest but statistically significant correlations with specific symptom ratings conducted two years after admission. In the present sample, an interpersonally uncomfortable childhood home and low premorbid self-esteem have untoward implications for the remission of symptoms.