Objective: Distorted ethnic identity is a difficult concept to define, but
relates to individuals from one ethnic group thinking that they want to bel
ong to another ethnic group or that they do so already, but have been "misa
ttributed" to the wrong category. The aim of the present study is to study
descriptions of these behaviours.
Method: Patients admitted to three hospitals in London were screened by the
respective teams looking after them and case notes studied. No direct inte
rviews were carried out.
Results: A total of 43 cases were identified. A large proportion were Afric
an-Caribbean males who fulfilled the criteria for DSM-IV diagnosis of paran
oid schizophrenia. Female patients were more likely to use extreme measures
to alter their appearance.
Conclusions: Majority white culture may influence vulnerable patients who h
ave psychoses to incorporate a range of ideas of distorted ethnic identity
in their psychopathology.