Narratives in context: a cellphilm study of the social experiences of persons with psychosis from different ethnic, racial and migrant backgrounds

• Published in: Arts & health pp. 1 - 17
• Main Authors: Xavier, Salome M., Both, Adrianne, Ferrari, Manuela, Abdel-Baki, Amal, Serres, Susanne, van den Bogerd, Nicole, Lemmers-Jansen, Imke, van der Ven, Els, Iyer, Srividya N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 29.08.2025
• Subjects: Psychosis; social determinants; structural disadvantage; ethnic minorities; immigrants
• ISSN: 1753-3015; 1753-3023
• DOI: 10.1080/17533015.2025.2551538

A higher risk of psychosis among migrants and ethnic minorities, due to intersecting exposure to social disadvantage, exclusion and discrimination, has been reported. However, first-person experiences and perspectives regarding these topics have rarely been sought. We aimed to explore the contexts, experiences, and perspectives of individuals with psychosis from diverse ethno-racial and migrant backgrounds through a qualitative study involving an in-depth interview and an arts-based component (cellphilming). Four themes were generated through thematic analysis: Facing adversity; Apart from the world; (Re)building structure; and meaning; and Cellphilming as possibility and connection. Themes portray the role of place and society in the lives and development of psychosis of participants. Findings resonate with previous research on the impacts of social and structural disadvantage, particularly for minoritized populations. By framing these under particular contexts and life stories, our findings allow for contextualization and nuance, and a focus on what mattered the most for participants: hope, meaning, renewal and healing.