RESIDENTIAL MOBILITY AND PSYCHIATRIC HELP-SEEKING

This study of 322 patients who sought help at two psychiatric facilities in the summer of 1963 in Los Angeles County indicates there is at least 2½ times higher incidence of migrants in such a sample than in the general population. Also, there was a 53% incidence of having changed residences within the year of seeking help, and 82% within the previous 5 years; a significantly higher percentage than the average County resident. No significant correlations were found between diagnostic categories and migrants, or between frequent childhood moves and adult diagnostic categories, or between frequent childhood moves and incidence of adult illness.