95 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Aetiological mechanisms underlying ethnic density associations with psychosis remain unclear. Aims: To assess potential mechanisms underlying the observation that minority ethnic groups experience an increased risk of psychosis when living in neighbourhoods of lower own-group density. Method: Multilevel analysis of nationally representative communitylevel data (from the Ethnic Minorities Psychiatric Illness Rates in the Community survey), which included the main minority ethnic groups living in England, and a White British group. Structured instruments assessed discrimination, chronic strains and social support. The Psychosis Screening Questionnaire ascertained psychotic experiences. Results: For every ten percentage point reduction in own-group density, the relative odds of reporting psychotic experiences increased 1.07 times (95% CI 1.01-1.14, P = 0.03 (trend)) for the total minority ethnic sample. In general, people living in areas of lower own-group density experienced greater social adversity that was in turn associated with reporting psychotic experiences. Conclusions: People resident in neighbourhoods of higher own-group density experience 'buffering' effects from the social risk factors for psychosis. Declaration of interest: None.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)282-290
Number of pages9
JournalBritish Journal of Psychiatry
Volume201
Issue number4
Early online date26 Jul 2012
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2012

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