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Young People's Recognition and Understanding of Schizophrenia: a Cross-Cultural Study of Young People From Britain and Nigeria

Author

Listed:
  • Adrian Furnham

    (Department of Psychology, University College London, London, UK, a.furnham@ucl.ac.uk)

  • Anuli Igboaka

    (Department of Psychology, University College London, London, UK)

Abstract

Aim: This cross-cultural study set out to compare the beliefs about the manifestations, causes and treatment of schizophrenia in a similar sample of 95 Nigerian and 76 British (western control) young people in their respective countries. Method: Participants completed a three-part questionnaire that was based on Furnham & Chan (2004) with additional questions. Results: Results revealed differences between the two groups regarding the `normality' of behaviours associated with schizophrenia. Other than hallucinations, all the behaviours described were considered to be manifestations of schizophrenia more so by the Nigerians than the British. The Nigerians were found not only to agree with supernatural explanations for causes of schizophrenia, as was predicted, but also favoured biological (genetics, neurochemical changes, and brain damage) and sociological explanations more so than the British. Both cultural groups favoured orthodox psychiatric practices and supportive environments as treatments for schizophrenia. However, unlike the British, the Nigerians also recognized religious and traditional practices as possible treatment options for schizophrenia. Conclusions: As predicted, young Nigerians, compared with young British participants, tended to believe more in supernatural and sociological causes of schizophrenia.

Suggested Citation

  • Adrian Furnham & Anuli Igboaka, 2007. "Young People's Recognition and Understanding of Schizophrenia: a Cross-Cultural Study of Young People From Britain and Nigeria," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 53(5), pages 430-446, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:53:y:2007:i:5:p:430-446
    DOI: 10.1177/0020764007078348
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lee, Sing, 1997. "How lay is lay? Chinese students' perceptions of anorexia nervosa in Hong Kong," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 44(4), pages 491-502, February.
    2. A. Furnham & R. Malik, 1994. "Cross-Cultural Beliefs About "Depression"," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 40(2), pages 106-123, June.
    3. Adrian Furnham & Joanna Rees, 1988. "Lay Theories of Schizophrenia," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 34(3), pages 212-220, September.
    4. Link, B.G. & Phelan, J.C. & Bresnahan, M. & Stueve, A. & Pescosolido, B.A., 1999. "Public conceptions of mental illness: Labels, causes, dangerousness, and social distance," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 89(9), pages 1328-1333.
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    Cited by:

    1. Subin Park & Minji Lee & Adrian Furnham & Mina Jeon & Young-Mi Ko, 2017. "Lay beliefs about the causes and cures of schizophrenia," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 63(6), pages 518-524, September.
    2. Ugo Ikwuka & Niall Galbraith & Lovemore Nyatanga, 2014. "Causal attribution of mental illness in south-eastern Nigeria," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 60(3), pages 274-279, May.

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