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Understanding the excess of psychosis among the African-Caribbean population in England: review of current hypotheses
- Authors:
- SHARPLEY Mandy, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 178(Supplement 40), April 2001, pp.60-68.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Increased rates of schizophrenia continue to be reported among the African-Caribbean population in England. This article aims to evaluate the competing biological, psychological and social explanations that have been proposed. A literature review, reveals that African-Caribbean population in England is at increased risk of both schizophrenia and mania; the higher rates remain when operational diagnostic criteria are used. The excess of the two psychotic disorders are probably linked: African-Caribbean patients with schizophrenia show more affective symptoms, and more relapsing course with greater social disruption but fewer chronic negative symptoms, than White patients. No simple hypothesis explains these findings. Concludes that more complex hypotheses are needed. One such links cultural variation in symptom reporting, the use of phenomenological constructs by psychiatrists and social disadvantage.