title: Explanatory models of psychosis amongst British South Asians.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A strong interest in the understanding, exploring, and extracting explanatory models of psychosis has recently arisen. Explanatory models (EMs) offer justifications and propose explanations when coping with and treating illnesses. Therefore, they may be important predictors of clinical outcome. Explanatory models of psychosis have been explored in many non-Western countries. However, very little research has examined EMs of psychosis in the UK. We therefore, aimed to elicit and describe explanatory models of psychosis amongst British South Asians, using both quantitative and qualitative methods.
  
  
  METHODS
  EMs of psychosis were examined using the Short Explanatory Model Interview (SEMI) in a cross-sectional sample of 45 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most patients (55.5%) attributed their illness to supernatural causes. Few patients cited a biological (4.4%) cause. Majority of patients held dual EMs of psychosis (77.7%), combining prescribed medication and seeing a traditional healer as a treatment method. Duration of Untreated Psychosis (DUP) was not significantly associated with EMs of psychosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that patients hold multi-explanatory models in order to make sense of their illness and these stem from deep rooted traditional beliefs. This highlights the importance of educational intervention, culturally adapted psychological interventions and possibly working together with traditional healers in the UK to provide a positive support system. Further work is required in order to fully understand the relationship between EMs of psychosis and DUP.
authors.affiliation: University of Manchester, Institute of Brain, Behaviour, and Mental Health, Jean McFarlane Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom. Electronic address: aqeelabhikha@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Aqeela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhikha
authors.affiliation: Staffordshire University & Consultant Psychiatrist Black County Partnership, NHS Foundation Trust, Staffordshire University, BL167, Blackheath Lane, Beaconside, ST18 0AD, Staffordshire, United Kingdom. Electronic address: sfarooqlrh@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Saeed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Farooq
authors.affiliation: Greater Manchester West Mental Health Foundation Trust and Honorary Leturer, University of Manchester, Meadowbrook Psychiatric Unit, Stott Lane, Salford M68HG, United Kingdom. Electronic address: nasim.chaudhry@gmw.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: Nasim
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chaudhry
authors.affiliation: Queens University, Kingston, & AMHS-KFLA, 385 Princess Street, Kingston, ON, Canada, K7L 1B9. Electronic address: farooqnaeem7@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Farooq
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Naeem
authors.affiliation: University of Manchester, Institute of Brain, Behaviour, and Mental Health, Jean McFarlane Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom. Electronic address: nusrat.husain@manchester.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Nusrat
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Husain
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001459:Bangladesh / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan / Q000208:ethnology; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy; D026443:Spiritual Therapies; D013483:Superstitions; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000208:ethnology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: British South Asian; Explanatory models; Faith healers; Illness beliefs; Psychosis; Schizophrenia