Clinical Features of Young Adult Hispanic Psychiatric In-Patients: The So-Called “Puerto Rican Syndrome”

Abstract

Among 118 young Hispanic (101 Puerto Rican) psychiatric inpatients, somatic complaints, violence, suicidal tendency, hallucinations, sudden onset of symptoms, and dissociative behavior each occurred in 46% or more of patients. There was no difference in clinical presentation between island Puerto Rican patients and Puerto Rican patients raised on the mainland. There was no relationship between these behaviors and any specific psychiatric disorder. Although there is a suggestion that more of these behaviors may occur among Puerto Rican Hispanics, further study with larger control groups is needed.