Causes of schizophrenia reported by patients' family members in China

Abstract

ConclusionsConclusions Despite the complexity Despite the complexity of causal models, measures can be of causal models, measures can be developed that will help improve clinicians' developed that will help improve clinicians' communication with patients and communication with patients and understanding of help-seeking understanding of help-seeking behaviours. behaviours.

Prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of schizophrenia in Beijing, China

“…These figures are considerably lower than the 80% reported from the USA (Kendler et al, 1996). The low rate of helpseeking behavior could have the following reasons: first, psychiatric stigmatization and discrimination prevent patients with psychiatric disorders from attending mental health services in China (Phillips and Pearson, 1994); second, many Chinese people do not believe that schizophrenia is a treatable psychiatric disorder (Phillips et al, 2000); and third, there is still inadequate access to psychiatric services in Beijing and many parts of China. The establishment of easily accessible mental health services and a massive awareness campaign addressing the recognition and treatment of schizophrenia are needed.…”

Translating genomic research into care for people with schizophrenia in China

“…Lack of health insurance or financial support is likely the greatest single obstacle to care for schizophrenia in China (Phillips et al, 2009). If this can be overcome, awareness of a mismatch between patients', families' and medical professionals' causal explanations for schizophrenia may be an important consideration to encourage engagement with treatment (Phillips et al, 2000). In the relative absence of endorsement of biomedical models of illness among patients and family members, care provided by physicians could benefit from inquiring into the patients' and families' ideas about the causes of schizophrenia.…”

“…The reverse is true of medical professionals (Pearson, 1993, Phillips et al, 2000. Research from Australia and Canada suggests attributing mental illness to genetic origins may contribute to family members' concern about their own risk of illness, and may also influence decisions about childbearing for patients and family members (Austin et al, 2006, Meiser et al, 2007.…”

“…Beliefs in causal attribution can play a powerful role in individual adaptation to illness, engagement with treatment, and interactions with family members (Kelly et al, 1987, Phillips et al, 2000, Fosu, 1981, Yang et al, 2004. Different types of attribution may also influence stigma and discrimination at multiple levels, from social or institutional to personal.…”

“…Applying the knowledge obtained through research to practice will depend on both the beliefs of patients and their families concerning schizophrenia, and the sophistication of understanding of psychiatrists. Beliefs about the nature of schizophrenia may be shared, or may differ across cultures (Fosu, 1981, Phillips et al, 2000. Acute psychosis is a phase of illness in schizophrenia, and was consistently ranked across the globe as one of the most disabling health conditions (Ustun et al, 1999).…”