Studies on delusions have previously been reported by various authors and were valued as basic contributions to the fields of clinical psychiatry and of psychopathology. Our review o11 the previously reported literatures on the subject is very confusing because the reports made by different schools of psychiatry and psycho-analysis drew different conclusions on the concept of delusions. However, it is to say that, if there is any agreeable statement on the concept of delusions by all, that is; the nature and the theme of delusions can be influenced by one´s own cultural and socioenvironmental factors.
Our attempt in this study is to show the frequency and the theme of delusions in schizophrenia in Korea, a country with a particular culture in the Orient. Another attempt made here is that of a comparative study of* our findings to the similar studies in the different cultures reported by B. Pauleikhoff in Germany and by Y. Shibata in Japan.
The materials used in this study are total 110 cases, all schizophrenics admitted to our service from Sept. 1956 to June 1961. Our diagnosis and classifications are based upon the Nomenclature by American Psychiatric Association, and our concept of delusions is similar to those used in the United States of America today.
The study drew following conclusions:
1) Of 110 (male 69, female 41) schizophrenics, 93 cases (male 59, female: 34), SOL 2g; (male 85.5%, female 82.93v.), showed one or more delusions during the course of their illnesses.
2) List of the following is in order of frequency; persecution, reference, religion; somatic, infidelity or jealousy, technical, political and delusions of sin.
3) The theme of delusions of our study cases are influenced by their socio-cultural status.
4) Persecutions in the theme of delusions are seen among the cases with higher education.
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