Decoding Schizophrenia across Cultures

There is accumulating evidence of cross-ethnic differences in relation to schizophrenia’s incidence and prevalence globally. However, there is a dearth of information about the manifestations of cultural differences of schizophrenia’s symptoms. This book bridges the gap in the knowledge by examining the similarities and dissimilarities of the content of clinical manifestation across cultures and underpinning epidemiological and clinical issues. First, I report on a qualitative systematic meta-review conducted using studies from around the world. This is followed by findings from a statistical analysis of a mental health population of 860 patients in Brent, North London (UK). Lastly, I present results from a semi-structured mental health questionnaire that was devised and disseminated to 48 mental health professionals in London to learn more about what mental health professionals have to say on the topic. Lastly, chapters seven and eight provide the reader with a theoretical underpinning to consider and present challenges on how one can consider incorporating culture into the mental health system through cultural competence and beyond.