Social identity and psychosis: Explaining elevated rates of psychosis in migrant populations

McIntyre, Jason C ORCID: 0000-0002-5601-524X, Elahi, Anam ORCID: 0000-0002-7897-1494 and Bentall, Richard P (2016) Social identity and psychosis: Explaining elevated rates of psychosis in migrant populations SOCIAL AND PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY COMPASS, 10 (11). pp. 619-633. ISSN 1751-9004, 1751-9004

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Abstract

A substantial body of literature suggests that migrants are at greater risk of developing psychotic symptoms, such as paranoia, compared to non-migrants. To date, researchers have been unable to identify the primary cause of this effect, finding scarce support for biological, diagnostic, and economic explanations. Social determinants have received little empirical attention in this domain, which we assert is a critical gap in the literature. Here, we propose that the social identity approach offers a framework to help explain the elevated rates of psychosis among migrants, and in turn inform policies and interventions to address this important mental health issue. We propose that cultural identities play a central role in mitigating the psychological precursors of psychosis and that disidentification and social disconnection subsequent to migration could initiate or exacerbate psychosis for multiple generations. We draw together research from social and clinical psychology to detail a social identity approach to psychosis in migrant populations, and make recommendations for future research.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	5203 Clinical and Health Psychology, 5205 Social and Personality Psychology, 52 Psychology, Serious Mental Illness, Mental Health, Behavioral and Social Science, Social Determinants of Health, Mental Illness, Brain Disorders, Clinical Research, Mental health, 3 Good Health and Well Being
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	22 Nov 2016 07:53
Last Modified:	23 May 2026 00:33
DOI:	10.1111/spc3.12273
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3004635
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