title: Ethnic density as a buffer for psychotic experiences: findings from a national survey (EMPIRIC).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aetiological mechanisms underlying ethnic density associations with psychosis remain unclear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess potential mechanisms underlying the observation that minority ethnic groups experience an increased risk of psychosis when living in neighbourhoods of lower own-group density.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multilevel analysis of nationally representative community-level data (from the Ethnic Minorities Psychiatric Illness Rates in the Community survey), which included the main minority ethnic groups living in England, and a White British group. Structured instruments assessed discrimination, chronic strains and social support. The Psychosis Screening Questionnaire ascertained psychotic experiences.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For every ten percentage point reduction in own-group density, the relative odds of reporting psychotic experiences increased 1.07 times (95% CI 1.01-1.14, P = 0.03 (trend)) for the total minority ethnic sample. In general, people living in areas of lower own-group density experienced greater social adversity that was in turn associated with reporting psychotic experiences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  People resident in neighbourhoods of higher own-group density experience 'buffering' effects from the social risk factors for psychosis.
authors: Section of Epidemiology, Department of Health Service and Population Research, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK. jayati.das-munshi@kcl.ac.uk
authors: Jayati
authors: J
authors: Das-Munshi
authors: Laia
authors: L
authors: Bécares
authors: Jane E
authors: JE
authors: Boydell
authors: Michael E
authors: ME
authors: Dewey
authors: Craig
authors: C
authors: Morgan
authors: Stephen A
authors: SA
authors: Stansfeld
authors: Martin J
authors: MJ
authors: Prince
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011156:Population Density; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D063505:Racism / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support