Ideas of Distorted Ethnic Identity in 43 Cases of Psychosis

Abstract

Objective : Distorted ethnic identity is a difficult concept to define, but relates to individuals from one ethnic group thinking that they want to belong to another ethnic group or that they do so already, but have been "misattributed" to the wrong category. The aim of the present study is to study descriptions of these behaviours.

Method: Patients admitted to three hospitals in London were screened by the respective teams looking after them and case notes studied. No direct interviews were carried out.

Results: A total of 43 cases were identified. A large proportion were African-Caribbean males who fulfilled the criteria for DSM-IV diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. Female patients were more likely to use extreme measures to alter their appearance.

Conclusions: Majority white culture may influence vulnerable patients who have psychoses to incorporate a range of ideas of distorted ethnic identity in their psychopathology.