Length of History of Schizophrenic Disorder and Anxiety as Defined by Skin Resistance Level

Abstract

Level of anxiety as represented in skin resistance levels (SRLs) was measured 5 times throughout the day in 60 hospitalized schizophrenic patients. Ss were classified into 3 groups of varying lengths of history of schizophrenic disorder and further subdivided into groups remaining on tranquilizing medication and groups receiving no medication for 84 hr. prior to testing. The comparison group (medicated) mean SRL differed significantly from that of the experimental group (non-medicated) mean SRL thus demonstrating the relevant effect of removal of the experimental Ss from medication. The experimental Ss tended to show significantly less anxiety (increased SRLs) and more variable levels of anxiety (increased variation in SRL) as a function of increasing chronicity. These findings were interpreted as supporting Mednick's learning theory hypothesis regarding anxiety in schizophrenic disorder.