We were not able to demonstrate significant trends or relationships between the onset and course of the disease on the one hand, and the present status on the other, in a group of schizophrenics, many of whom might be classified as chronics. Age at breakdown, acute onset of symptoms, developmental factors, in themselves or in toto, do not appear to be reliable predictors as to the long-term picture of adjustment for such a group. Intellectual endowment and education, which are themselves highly correlated, were found to be predictive indices as to adjustment potential. The most important factor, however, was that of family support–support that took the form of continued responsible acceptance of the patient. As a matter of fact, whether a patient was hospitalized or remained in the community often depended on the extent of direct social support. We suggest that prognosis in schizophrenia depends as much on the unfaltering support of the relatives as on symptomatology or extent of treatment. If direct soci...