Schizophrenia Research
Volume 84, Issue 2 , Pages 289-296, June 2006

Over-representation of Maori New Zealanders among adolescents in a schizotypy taxon

  • Richard J. Linscott

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychology, University of Otago, P. O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +64 3 4795689; fax: +64 3 4798335.
    • ,
  • Dannette Marie

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychology, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
    • ,
  • Kelly L. Arnott

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychology, University of Otago, P. O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand
    • ,
  • Bronwyn L. Clarke

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychology, University of Otago, P. O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand

Received 12 December 2005; received in revised form 2 February 2006; accepted 2 February 2006.

Abstract 

Background

Minority ethnic and migrant groups are often over-represented among those with schizophrenia.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to determine whether Maori, the aboriginal minority of New Zealand, are over-represented in a schizotypy taxon derived from a general population sample of adolescents.

Method

Secondary school students (n=387) aged 13 to 17 years completed self-report measures of four schizotypy attributes, magical thinking, hallucinatory tendency, self-referential ideation, and perceptual aberration, and indicated ethnic descent and self-identified ethnic belonging.

Results

Taxometric analyses (maximum covariance, maximum eigenvalue, latent modes) yielded consistent evidence of taxonicity of schizotypy. Participants who were of Maori descent were over-represented in the schizotypy group.

Conclusions

Ethnicity, or the stress and resilience factors for which ethnicity is a proxy measure, has a measurable impact on psychometric risk for schizophrenia.

Keywords: Descent, Ethnic identity, New Zealand Maori, Risk for schizophrenia, Schizotypy, Taxometric analysis

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PII: S0920-9964(06)00070-3

doi:10.1016/j.schres.2006.02.006

Schizophrenia Research
Volume 84, Issue 2 , Pages 289-296, June 2006

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