Differences in illness perceptions between Māori and New Zealand Europeans were examined in a cohort of 111 users of mental health services (68 Māori, 43 New Zealand European) in the greater Auckland and Northland areas who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder. All were interviewed using the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire and the Drug Attitude Inventory. Māori with schizophrenia believed that their illness would last for a significantly shorter time than New Zealand European patients did. Among cause of mental illness, chance or spiritual factors were listed by five Māori patients and no New Zealand European patients. Other illness perceptions, as well as attitudes towards medication, were comparable between groups. Across groups, the top perceived causes were drugs/alcohol, family relationships/abuse, and biological causes.
