MALE HOMOSEXUALITY, PARANOIA, AND THE SCHIZOPHRENIAS

Two hundred and five male schizophrenic inpatients receiving intensive psychotherapy were studied to determine the relative estimate of homosexual orientation between 128 paranoid schizophrenics and a control group of 77 non-paranoid schizophrenics. Previous theoretical and research publications suggested a difference would be found, and this was found to be true. To a statistically significant degree, the paranoids showed greater incidence of past overt homosexual acts, preoccupation during therapy with homosexuality, and were judged latently homosexual more often by both psychiatrists and testing psychologists. Anticipation of homosexuality as a great threat to paranoids aids in planning their therapy to avoid unnecessary storms or frightened withdrawal. Since a considerable number of non-paranoid schizophrenics is also troubled by homosexual desires, latent or overt, other factors must be sought if we are to understand why paranoids are paranoid.