Differences in patients' perceptions of Schizophrenia between Maori and New Zealand Europeans

Objective: Maori (the Indigenous people of New Zealand) are disproportionately affected by mental illness and experience significantly poorer mental health compared to New Zealand Europeans. It is important to understand cultural differences in patients' ideas about mental illness in treatment settings. The aim of the present study was to investigate differences in illness perceptions between Maori and New Zealand Europeans diagnosed with schizophrenia. Method: A total of 111 users of mental health services (68 Maori, 43 New Zealand European) in the greater Auckland and Northland areas who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder were interviewed using the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire and the Drug Attitude Inventory. District Health Board staff completed the Global Assessment of Functioning for each patient. Results: Maori with schizophrenia believed that their illness would continue significantly less time than New Zealand European patients did. Chance or spiritual factors were listed as causes of mental illness by only five Maori patients and no New Zealand European patients. Other illness perceptions, as well as attitudes towards medication, were comparable between groups. Across groups, the top perceived causes were drugs/alcohol, family relationships/abuse, and biological causes. Conclusion: Illness perceptions provide a framework to assess patients' beliefs about their mental illness. Differences between Maori and New Zealand European patients' beliefs about their mental illness may be related to traditional Maori beliefs about mental illness. Knowledge of differences in illness perceptions provides an opportunity to design effective clinical interventions for both Maori and New Zealand Europeans.