The proponents of deconcentration of the GPH expect it to prevent or diminish stigmatization of patients and to promote their intergration in society. This article presents the results of a study of the differences social integration and expectations of stigmatization between 24 deconcentrated and 184 long stay patients living inside the central hospital. The study revealed no dofferences between these two groupes in the patients expectation of stigmatization by the family or others outside the hospital. Nor was there any difference in their social integration. The patients in the deconcentrated department did not differ from the patients in the central GPH.