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The Relationship Between Schizophrenia and Immigration are There Alternatives to Psychosocial Hypotheses?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

John M. Eagles*
Affiliation:
Royal Cornhill Hospital, Cornhill Road, Aberdeen AB9 2ZF

Abstract

Several recent studies have found markedly increased rates of schizophrenia among West Indian immigrants to the UK. Almost exclusively, authors have sought psychosocial explanations for these findings. This paper hypothesises that environmental causes, notably obstetric complications and perinatal infections, provide more plausible aetiological models, especially for the raised rates of schizophrenia among second-generation West Indian immigrants.

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © 1991 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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