Perceived discrimination and psychotic experiences across multiple ethnic groups in the United States

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived discrimination and psychotic experiences (PE) using validated measures of discrimination and a racially/ethnically diverse population-level sample.

Data were drawn from two population-level surveys (The National Latino and Asian American Survey and The National Survey of American Life), which were analyzed together using survey weights and stratification variables. The analytic sample (N=8990) consisted of Latino, Asian, African-American, and Afro-Caribbean adults living in the United States. Separate unadjusted and adjusted multivariable logistic regression models were used, first to examine the crude bivariate relationship between perceived discrimination and PE, and second to examine the relationship adjusting for demographic variables. Adjusted logistic regression models were also used to examine the relationships between perceived discrimination and specific sub-types of PE (auditory and visual hallucinatory experiences, and delusional ideation).

When compared to individuals who did not report any discrimination, those who reported the highest levels of discrimination were significantly more likely to report both 12-month PE (Adjusted OR=4.590, p<0.001) and lifetime PE (adjusted OR=4.270, p<0.001). This held true for visual hallucinatory experiences (adjusted OR=3.745, p<0.001), auditory hallucinatory experiences (adjusted OR=5.649, p<0.001), and delusional ideation (adjusted OR=7.208, p<0.001).

Perceived discrimination is associated with the increased probability of reporting psychotic experiences in a linear Fashion in the US general population.