Exploring elevated psychosis rates in the Black and Ethnic Minorities
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring elevated psychosis rates in the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) populations living in low ethnic density population areas in the UK.
IRAS ID
184605
Contact name
Clarence Gwashavanhu
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Lancaster University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Psychotic disorders is a cluster of mental illnesses that include schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and delusional disorders. Some psychotic illnesses such as schizophrenia can impact significantly on the suffers' life by reducing and impairing functioning.
The incidence and prevalence (occurrence) of psychotic disorders is elevated among ethnic minority groups compared to the native population of UK. (Bosque et al, 2011) and significantly more elevated in the Black population than other minority ethnic groups (Fearon & Morgan, 2006). The ethnic density hypothesis is one of the many proposals that try to explain this phenomenon. Ethnic density refers to the total number of people of the same ethnic origin living in an area. Under this hypothesis the psychosis rates are more raised in areas with few people from minority ethnic background (Low ethnic density).The purpose of the study is to try and understand the reasons and factors behind raised psychosis rates in the black ethnic population living in low ethnic density areas (areas with few black ethnic people). The black ethnic group has the highest elevated rates of psychosis compared to other ethnic groups. This leads to disparities in the use of mental health services along ethnic divisions. The phenomenon behind elevated psychotic rates along ethnic categories is not fully understood and is under researched.
A qualitative methodology will be used to try and gain an understanding of some of the processes that might determine, shape or explain psychosis in areas with few ethnic people. Charmaz’s (2006) approach to Grounded Theory will be used to collect analyse and interpret the data. This is a constructivist approach that proposes that theories do not emerge but are co-constructed by the researcher and the participants in the research process.
My work will attempt to explain and construct a model/framework on this topic of ethnicity, psychosis and area density.REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/0368
Date of REC Opinion
26 Apr 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion