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Migration, Ethnicity, and Psychosis: Toward a Sociodevelopmental Model

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Morgan, C., Charalambides, M., Hutchinson, G., Murray, R. M.·2010·Schizophrenia Bulletin
DOI 10.1093/schbul/sbq051PMC PMC2894585
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Abstract

There is consistent and strong evidence that the incidence of all psychoses is higher in many migrant and minority ethnic populations in a number of countries. The reasons for this are, however, unclear and a wide range of explanations have been proposed, from genetic to neurodevelopmental to psychosocial. In this article, we describe and evaluate the available evidence for and against each of these. What this shows is that: (1) there are few studies that have directly investigated specific risk factors in migrant and minority ethnic populations, with often only 1 or 2 studies of any relevance to specific explanations and (2) what limited research there has been tends to implicate a diverse range of social factors (including childhood separation from parents, discrimination and, at an area level, ethnic density) as being of potential importance. In an attempt to synthesize these disparate findings and provide a basis for future research, we go on to propose an integrated model--of a sociodevelopmental pathway to psychosis--to account for the reported high rates in migrant and minority ethnic populations. Aspects of this model will be directly tested in a new Europe-wide incidence and case-control study that we will conduct over the next 3 years, as part of the European Network of National Schizophrenia Networks studying Gene-Environment Interactions programme.

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  • Childhood adversity, and interpersonal trauma specifically, have been linked to the development of PEs, and there is evidence linking current adverse environments - characterized by racial discrimination, migrant status and low social capital - with psychosis.

    “Childhood adversity 25,26 , and interpersonal trauma specifically 27 , have been linked to the development of PEs, and there is evidence linking current adverse environments -characterized by racial discrimination 28 , migrant status 29 and low social capital 30 -with psychosis.”

    From Clinical, socio‐demographic and psychological characteristics in individuals with persistent psychotic experiences with and without a “need for care” (2016) · cites this paper as [29]

  • Ethnic minority status can increase the risk of psychopathology through social isolation, experiences of discrimination, victimisation and social defeat, which are all considered stressors.

    “It is also likely that ethnic minority status can increase the risk of psychopathology through social isolation, experiences of discrimination, victimisation and social defeat, which are all considered stressors (Morgan et al., 2010; Bécares et al., 2009; Cooper et al., 2008; Cooper et al., 2017; Selten and Cantor-Graae, 2005; Selten et al., 2012; Sharpley et al., 2001; Tidey and Miczek, 1996).”

    From The effects of psychosocial stress on dopaminergic function and the acute stress response (2019) · cites this paper as Morgan et al., 2010

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Authors
Morgan, C., Charalambides, M., Hutchinson, G., & Murray, R. M.
Affiliations
  • King's College London (GB)
  • University of the West Indies (TT)
Corresponding author
Morgan, C.
ORCID
Venue
Schizophrenia Bulletin
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2010-05-30
Volume
36
Issue
4
Pages
655-664
ISSN
  • 0586-7614 (ISSN-L)
  • 1745-1701
DOI
10.1093/schbul/sbq051
PMC
PMC2894585
OpenAlex
W2159984117
Cited by
313
References
8
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 23 · 2018: 31 · 2017: 23 · 2016: 30 · 2015: 18 · 2014: 27 · 2013: 26 · 2012: 20
FWCI
21.14
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Schizophrenia Bulletin (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Migration, Health and Trauma
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Racial and Ethnic Identity Research
Keywords
psychosis, schizophrenia
MeSH terms
Cross-Sectional Studies, Emigration and Immigration, Ethnicity, Europe, Humans, Life Change Events, Minority Groups, Models, Psychological, Prejudice, Psychotic Disorders, Risk Factors, Schizophrenia, Schizophrenic Psychology, Social Environment, Bias, Incidence, Case-Control Studies, Genetic Predisposition to Disease

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