Isolation and Psychological Disorder

Isolation has been thought by many to exert an influence in the development of psychological disorders. However, empirical investigation has provided mixed results. This report presents data on the relationship between interpersonal isolation immediately prior to contact with a hospital and psychological disturbance as reported by psychiatric diagnosis. Significant association was found between presence of isolation, psychosis, and high disturbance. This indicates that isolation in an interpersonal sense may be detrimental to psychological well being and is a topic worthy of further investigation.