Culture, ethnicity and biological psychiatry

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511543609.008

6 - Culture, ethnicity and biological psychiatry

from Part I - Theoretical background

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 August 2009

Chia-Hui Chen ,

Shi-Kai Liu and

Keh-Ming Lin

Edited by

Dinesh Bhugra and

Kamaldeep Bhui

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Chia-Hui Chen: Affiliation:
Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Research National Health Research Institutes 5th Floor Second Campus Tapiei City Psychiatric Center 309 Song-De Road Taipei 110 Taiwan
Shi-Kai Liu: Affiliation:
Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Research National Health Research Institutes, 5th Floor Second Campus, Tapiei City Psychiatric Center 309 Song-De Road Taipei 110 Taiwan
Keh-Ming Lin: Affiliation:
Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Research National Health Research Institutes 5th Floor, Second Campus Tapiei City Psychiatric Center 309 Song-De Road Taipei 110 Taiwan
Dinesh Bhugra: Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London
Kamaldeep Bhui: Affiliation:
Barts & The London, Queen Mary School of Medicine and Dentistry

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Summary

EDITORS' INTRODUCTION

The differences between universalist and relativist positions related to pharmacological interventions are of great interest to researchers and clinicians alike. The variations in social forces and cultural traditions and attributed similarities are proofs of the universality of the biological processes underlying psychiatric problems. Regional and ethnic variations almost always exist and associated biological and social factors must be considered in managing patients. Chen and colleagues, in this chapter, highlight the interface between biological psychiatry and neurosciences on the one hand and culture and ethnicity on the other. They raise three issues on the subject – those of generalisability, variations in groups and individuals and finally the theoretical implications embedded in cross cultural research is commonly observed and well documented. Beside genetic predispositions, it also stands to reason that influences of culture on biological processes could also lead to disease susceptibility. Biological markers responsible for disease and response to medication have not been studied in all cultural and ethnic groups. Biology is not culture free, and the complex interaction between culture and biology includes genetic vulnerability and resilience related to environmental factors. People with different ethnic and ancestral backgrounds have different genetic profiles, which may indicate differential risks for specific disorders.

Physical and social milieus within which people live are shaped by cultural factors, thus the interaction of biology and culture shapes responses and outcomes in various psychiatric disorders.

Type: Chapter
Information: Textbook of Cultural Psychiatry , pp. 72 - 80

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511543609.008 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2007

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