Psychological Medicine
Volume 37, Issue 4, 2007, Pages 505-512

Delusional ideation and manic symptoms in potential future emigrants in Uganda (Article)

Lundberg P.* , Cantor-Graae E. , Kahima M. , Östergren P.-O.
  • a Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, University Hospital UMAS, S-205 02 Malmö, Sweden
  • b Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, University Hospital UMAS, S-205 02 Malmö, Sweden
  • c Department of Psychiatry, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
  • d Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, University Hospital UMAS, S-205 02 Malmö, Sweden

Abstract

Background. The cause of increased schizophrenia rates among immigrants in Europe is unknown. This study explores psychotic features in persons aspiring and actively planning to emigrate, prior to their potential emigration. Method. Potential future emigrants and controls in Kampala (Uganda) were screened for delusional ideation and manic symptoms, using the Peters et al. Delusions Inventory (PDI) and mania items from the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Results. Aspirations regarding emigration were associated with increased delusional ideation compared with controls (p=0.01), whereas active plans regarding emigration were not. Neither aspiring nor actively planning to emigrate was associated with increased manic symptoms. Subjects with increased delusional ideation also had increased manic symptoms (p<0.001). Conclusions. Although some aspects of delusional ideation might include thoughts concerning emigration, practical circumstances (e.g. visa requirements, travel costs) probably prevent emigration of the psychosis-prone in many settings. © 2007 Cambridge University Press.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Delusions immigrant human immigration delusional disorder Interview, Psychological controlled study screening test Urbanization Uganda bipolar disorder manic psychosis Humans Adolescent Severity of Illness Index male female prevalence psychologic test Article Questionnaires adult human experiment migration normal human Emigration and Immigration
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-33847624240&doi=10.1017%2fS0033291706009494&partnerID=40&md5=e36d6cb50cc6bf5a7dacda8fb58693c1
DOI: 10.1017/S0033291706009494
ISSN: 00332917
Cited by: 8
Original Language: English