Black men and schizophrenia

Assessment of stereotypes

Andrew Njenga

Background

African American men are diagnosed with schizophrenia 4 to 5 times more than other ethnic groups

Initially associated with petty criminals among white men

A large increase in diagnosis with black men seen after the 1960's and 70's civil rights movement

Black men seen as uncooperative, aggressive (Case:David Bennet, 1998)

Aims/Objectives

evaluate/assess the overdiagnosis of schizophrenia of black men in the UK

Compare diagnosis of schizophrenia in black men as compared to other ethnic groups

Differentiation of schizophrenia from other mental health illnesses

Assess the diagnosis criteria(DSM-IV)- discriminatory/culture sensitive

Cont..

Assess contributory factors in black men developing schizophrenia

Deprivation Unemployment Poverty Drug use Housing Quality of life

Rationale

Existing research has shown black men are stereotyped and misdiagnosed leading to misdirection and missaporpriations of resources

Stigmatisation of black men and side effects of medication that are psychoactive can affect service users negatively

Study design

Primary research Literature review-databases, periodicals etc Ethical approval Qualitative methods-focus group, interviews Quantitative- 100 questionnaires Subjects -mental health service users,

healthcare practitioners, community volunteers

Subjects/Patients

Former mental health service users, healthcare practitioners, community volunteers

Rationale: know what is going on in the community, former patients and practitioners know about diagnosis criteria and biases

Sources of Bias

Mental capacity of patients Overspoken participants in the focus group Denial/paranoia/negative attitude of former

patients

Analysis of results

Spreadsheets Coding SPSS

Ethical issues

Using patients, consent, anonymity and confidentiality will be maintained

Support for patients, may be emotional to speak about their diagnoses