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European cultural offshoots in the new world: Differences in their mental hospitalisation patterns

Part I. British, French and Italian influences

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Summary

The mental hospitalisation rates for Canadians of different European origins have been compared with allowance made for factors such as migrational status, provincial distribution, education and chronicity of illness. Marked differences have been found, most probably due to the cultural background of each group and the interaction of that background with Canadian conditions. Of the groups discussed, the Italian-origin have an exceptionally low rate, but this proves to benefit only married males in the blue-collar stratum. The Irish-origin have exceptionally high rates until the age of 65 but low thereafter. The remaining British-origin have a moderately low overall rate, as fits their privileged position in the country, but a significant excess of hospitalised patients with senile and arteriosclerotic psychosis. The French-origin have a high overall rate and high chronicity, but this does not apply to the white-collar stratum or to the over-65s. Suggestions are offered regarding the probable cultural influences behind these features.

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  1. Department of Psychiatry, Section of Transcultural Psychiatric Studies, McGill University, Montréal, Canada

    H. B. M. Murphy

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  1. H. B. M. Murphy
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Murphy, H.B.M. European cultural offshoots in the new world: Differences in their mental hospitalisation patterns. Soc Psychiatry 13, 1–9 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00578056

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