Personality Disorders in Black People: less prevalent or the result of healthcare inequalities?

ABSTRACT

The prevalence of personality disorders (PDs) in black people has consistently been reported as significantly lower than in their white equivalents. If this result is accurate, then it may reveal important clues as to the aetiology of personality disorders, which could provide invaluable insights as to how we should support these patients. However, if this result does not reflect the truth, then important questions must be answered as to why black people with personality disorders are under- represented. There has been limited investigations into what may cause a discrepancy in the PD prevalence between ethnicities. This review aims to determine whether the lower prevalence of PDs in black people is likely to be accurate, and if it isn't, explore some of the potential causes for the difference. This is an important issue to address as may reveal pertinent inequalities in healthcare.