Schizophrenia: epidemiological risk factors: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Schizophrenia: epidemiological risk factors

Sample item

Which of the following is an established environmental risk factor for schizophrenia?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Urban upbringing and cannabis use in adolescence

Established risk factors include urban birth and upbringing, adolescent cannabis use, migration, obstetric complications, winter or spring birth and paternal age. These interact with genetic liability. Protective effects are not shown for the other options.

Option by option

  • A. Breastfeeding beyond one year

    Breastfeeding has no established link to schizophrenia.

  • B. Urban upbringing and cannabis use in adolescence (correct)

    Correct. Urbanicity and heavy adolescent cannabis use raise risk.

  • C. Being an only child of a literate family

    Being an only child and family literacy are not recognised risk factors.

  • D. Rural living at high altitude

    Rural altitude living is not a recognised risk factor.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is B, Urban upbringing and cannabis use in adolescence. Established risk factors include urban birth and upbringing, adolescent cannabis use, migration, obstetric complications, winter or spring birth and paternal age.

Why is "Breastfeeding beyond one year" not the answer?

Breastfeeding has no established link to schizophrenia.

Why is "Being an only child of a literate family" not the answer?

Being an only child and family literacy are not recognised risk factors.

Why is "Rural living at high altitude" not the answer?

Rural altitude living is not a recognised risk factor.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Schizophrenia: epidemiological risk factors in Psychiatry. These interact with genetic liability. Protective effects are not shown for the other options.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Schizophrenia: epidemiological risk factors?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.