William is a well-educated 40-year-old man who suffers from schizophrenic disorder. Originally, he was employed as a computer programmer, but he was fired two months ago because of chronic absenteeism. For the last several weeks he has been homeless. He sleeps at night in a cardboard box behind a Dunkin Donut after closing time. Which of the following terms is used to describe William's current plight?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Downward drift refers to the phenomenon where individuals with mental disorders tend to occupy lower social and economic positions due to their symptoms and impairments, leading to a deterioration in their overall functioning and quality of life. In William's case, his chronic absenteeism and homelessness can be attributed to the downward drift associated with his schizophrenia. A downward shift refers to a change in symptom severity, whereas downward SES and trajectory do not accurately capture William's current situation.

William Is a Well-Educated 40-Year-Old Man Who Suffers from Schizophrenic