August 2020
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Full text: Tracy, D., Joyce, D., Albertson, D., & Shergill, S. (2020). Kaleidoscope. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 217(2), 465-466. doi:10.1192/bjp.2020.132
Read the full August 2020 Kaleidoscope column in BJPsych for free
Perceptions 1. #BlackLivesMatter has reinforced the depth of societal inequities; minority ethnic status is linked with psychosis, but disentangling discrimination from other factors is challenging. Bardol et al included 17 studies (n = 33 211) in their meta-analysis demonstrating that perceived ethnic discrimination had a statistically significant odds ratio for the occurrence of psychotic symptoms (1.77) and experiences (1.94).1 The findings held across different ethnic groups, and did not vary by country of origin; although ethnic identity, collective self-esteem and social support buffered the findings, this was a weak influence. Interestingly, given previous research, there was no support that ethnic density moderated the results. These findings are contrary to the suggestions that the association with discrimination could be entirely explained by socioeconomic and other confounders, although psychotic symptoms and experiences are not the same as a clinical diagnosis of psychosis. Social exclusion and ‘social defeat’ have been linked previously with the aetiology of psychoses; there are echoes of qualitative reports from many individuals, showing the profound adverse impact even a single racist comment can have on a person's life.