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Abstract
The incidence of psychotic disorders is extremely high in several immigrant groups in Europe. This article describes the epidemiological evidence for increased incidence rates among immigrants compared with nonimmigrant populations and explores possible explanations for this excess risk. Potential causes not only involve factors acting at the level of the individual, but encompass the broader social context of neighborhoods and ethnic groups. Growing up and living in a disadvantaged ethnic minority position, characterized by a low social status, high degree of discrimination against the group and low neighborhood ethnic density, may lead to an increased risk of psychotic disorders, especially when individuals reject their minority status and when their social resources are insufficient to buffer the impact of adverse social experiences. Future research should refine measures of the social context, adopt a life-course perspective and should integrate social and neurobiological pathways.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.