Social characteristics, the diagnosis of mental disorders, and the change from DSM II to DSM III

Abstract

Abstract Multivariate analyses are used to examine stability and changes in the predictors of mental illness diagnoses with the introduction of a revised diagnostic system in the U.S. The impact of the shift from DSM II to DSM III is studied in three outpatient clinics. Among our findings is support for the relationship of income and gender to receiving the diagnosis of schizophrenia. This is found both under DSM II and the more behaviorally‐based DSM III system. However, minority status, low education, and low income are predictors of the diagnosis of personality disorder under DSM II, but not with the shift to DSM III. These and other similarities and differences in the relationship between classic sociological variables and diagnosis that occur in the comparison of DSM III with DSM II are discussed. Particular attention is given the issue of‘bias’ in the diagnostic process. Copyright © 1988, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved