OBJECTIVE: To evaluate sample differences associated with recruiting strategies in a study of people with schizophrenia. METHODS: In June 2000 and 2001, participants were identified through Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC) and chapters of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) for a study designed to understand, explain, and predict the healthcare attitudes and behaviors of people with schizophrenia. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. RESULTS: As expected, CMHC (n=416) and NAMI (n=430) respondents differed demographically. CMHC respondents were more likely to be older (p<0.001), non-white (p=0.002), living in group homes (p<0.001), and concentrated in urban regions of the country (Northeast and West, p<0.001). CMHC respondents were less likely than NAMI recruits to participate in productive activities (p<0.001). However, respondents from both facilities had similar health histories. They experienced schizophrenia symptoms for similar durations and had similar symptom severity, as measured by the Psychological General Well-Being (PGWB) scale. The two groups were also equally as likely to be overweight or obese, diagnosed with high cholesterol, and to use alcohol. CMHC and NAMI respondents also had similar patterns of care. They were equally as likely to have been hospitalized in the past six months and to be insured by Medicaid. Most respondents from both groups were treated with atypical antipsychotics and received mental healthcare from community mental health centers. The groups had almost identical attitudes about medication compliance (p=0.989), as measured by the Drug Attitude Inventory (DAI). They also had similar medication compliance behaviors; 32% of CMHC recruits and 38% from NAMI organizations reported at least occasionally missing their psychotropic medication (p=0.118). CONCLUSION: Despite large demographic differences between respondents recruited through NAMI and CMHC, there were few differences in health history, and no significant differences in patterns of schizophrenia care.