VIII. Ethnic Aspects. A Comparison of Three Matched Groups

Abstract

In recent years there has been increasing interest in the sociocultural aspects of psychiatric disorders, particularly schizophrenia (World Health Organization, 1975; Sartorius et al, 1986). This has extended from multicentre international studies of prevalence, through national incidence or phenomenological studies in different ethnic groups (Cochrane, 1977; Teggin et al, 1985), to outcome assessments in different cultures (Sartorius et al, 1986, 1987).

Racism and Mental Illness in the UK

“…Another study found that black and minority ethnic patients with psychotic illnesses reported no more life events than their white British counterparts, but they were more likely to attribute them to racism, potentially disinclining the minority patients from using services they perceive to be racist (Gilvarry et al 1999). Societal racism has been mooted as a cause of increased risk of schizophrenia in Black populations in the UK; and institutional racism, life events and chronic stress may also be associated with an increased risk of developing psychosis (Perera et al 1991).…”