Schizophrenia linked to social factors

Higher rates of schizophrenia among African-Caribbeans in the UK
may be caused partly by unemployment and earlier separation from
both parents, according to research.

A study carried out by the Centre for Caribbean Medicine, King’s
College London, indicates that social and environmental factors
have an important part to play.

Lead author of the research Rosemarie Mallett said the study
found that African-Caribbeans in the UK who had been separated from
one or both parents for four years or more during childhood were
more likely to develop schizophrenia.

“This research highlights the significance of social
disadvantage as a cause of severe mental illness,” she added.