Citation

Winston E. Am. J. Sociol. 1935; 40(4): 427-439.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1935, University of Chicago Press)

DOI

10.1086/216818

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The assumption has been widespread that the rate of mental disease is constantly increasing. This has been cited as an illustration of man's lack of adjustment to a complex culture. Data for various sections and states of the United States indicate that an upward trend is not always found. While the data are limited, there is sufficient evidence to lead one to question the assumption of an increasing rate of mental disease throughout the United States. When the investigation is carried into the foreign countries for which data are available, it is found that there is no general upward trend in the annual admissions for mental disease in the various countries considered. Rather, subject to differing conditions, there is great diversity in actual rates and in trends. On the basis of these data, it appears that the theory of an increasing rate of mental disease is at least open to question.