Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 29, 2026
09:55
Use of a Psychophysiological Script-driven Imagery Experiment to Study Trauma-related Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder
Published on: March 8, 2018
Ethnic differences in admissions to secure forensic psychiatry services
1Academic Section of Forensic Psychiatry, St Bartholomew's and the Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry, UK.
The British Journal of Psychiatry : the Journal of Mental Science
|October 21, 2000
Summary
African-Caribbean individuals show higher rates of compulsory psychiatric admissions for mental disorders compared to White individuals. This suggests community services may be less effective for this population.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Psychiatry
- Public Health
- Ethnic Disparities in Mental Healthcare
Background:
- Persons of African-Caribbean origin experience higher rates of imprisonment.
- Evidence indicates increased psychiatric hospital detentions for this group following offending behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate population-based prevalence rates of treated mental disorder.
- To compare rates across different ethnic groups.
- Focus on compulsory admissions to secure forensic psychiatry services.
Main Methods:
- Survey of 3155 first admissions from 1988-1994.
- Data from half of England and Wales.
- 1991 census data used as denominator, adjusted for under-enumeration.
Main Results:
- Black males had 5.6 times higher compulsory admissions than White males.
- Asian males had half the admissions of White males.
- Black females had 2.9 times higher admissions, Asian females one-third.
- Non-White admissions increased over the study period.
- Differences in offending patterns and diagnoses observed between ethnic groups.
Conclusions:
- Observed variations in compulsory hospitalization are not solely due to racial bias.
- Community-based services may be less effective in managing escalating criminal and dangerous behavior associated with mental illness in African-Caribbeans.
Related Concept Videos
02:16Surveys
Often, psychologists develop surveys as a means of gathering data. Surveys are lists of questions to be answered by research participants, and can be delivered as paper-and-pencil questionnaires, administered electronically, or conducted verbally. Generally, the survey itself can be completed in a short time, and the ease of administering a survey makes it easy to collect data from a large number of people.
03:20The Stanford Prison Experiment
The famous and controversial Stanford Prison Experiment, conducted by social psychologist Philip Zimbardo and his colleagues at Stanford University, demonstrated the power of social roles, social norms, and scripts.
02:55Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Humans are very diverse and although we share many similarities, we also have many differences. The social groups we belong to help form our identities (Tajfel, 1974). These differences may be difficult for some people to reconcile, which may lead to prejudice toward people who are different. Prejudice is a negative attitude and feeling toward an individual based solely on one’s membership in a particular social group (Allport, 1954; Brown, 2010). Prejudice is common against people who are...
01:29Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia, a complex psychiatric disorder, has been historically misunderstood. Early psychological theories attributed its origins to childhood trauma and unresponsive parenting. However, contemporary research largely rejects these notions, favoring the vulnerability-stress hypothesis. This model proposes that individuals with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may develop the disorder following exposure to significant environmental stressors. Notably, studies on high-risk...
01:24Treatment Strategies for Psychological Disorders
Treatment approaches for psychological disorders fall into three main categories: psychological, biological, and sociocultural. Each approach targets different aspects of mental health, requiring varying levels of education and training.
Psychological therapies focus on modifying emotions, thoughts, and behaviors through talking, interpreting, listening, rewarding, challenging, and modeling. Clinical psychologists, counselors, and social workers commonly practice psychotherapy. Clinical...
Psychological therapies focus on modifying emotions, thoughts, and behaviors through talking, interpreting, listening, rewarding, challenging, and modeling. Clinical psychologists, counselors, and social workers commonly practice psychotherapy. Clinical...
01:30Psychosurgery
Psychosurgery, the surgical alteration or permanent removal of brain tissue to alleviate severe psychological conditions, stands as one of the most radical and controversial treatments in the history of mental health care. Its development and application have evolved significantly, marked by dramatic shifts in scientific understanding and ethical perspectives.
Historical Development of Psychosurgery
In the 1930s, Portuguese neurologist Antonio Egas Moniz introduced a surgical procedure designed...
Historical Development of Psychosurgery
In the 1930s, Portuguese neurologist Antonio Egas Moniz introduced a surgical procedure designed...