Cultural Beliefs Associated with Menstruation and Link with Mental Illness-An Indian Male’s Perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 03 (01) ◽  
pp. 4-12
Author(s):  
Harneet Kaur ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Cultural Beliefs

Understanding the Nature of Stigma Communication Associated With Mental Illness in Africa

2018 ◽  
pp. 20-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Gichuhi Kimotho
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Social Costs ◽  
Mental Illness Stigma ◽  
Social Constructions ◽  
Illness Beliefs ◽  
Stigma And Discrimination ◽  
The Social

Besides health and social costs, mentally ill, often, are also victims of stigma and discrimination, among many communities in Africa. Cultural beliefs, stereotypes are some of the social constructions used to perpetuate mental illness stigma. The purpose of this study was to describe the nature of stigma communication associated with mental illness, beliefs and stereotypes underpinning mental illness stigma. Generally, the findings indicate nature of mental illness stigma communication is an intersection of stigma messages, cultural beliefs, and stereotypes associated with mental illness. Cultural beliefs associated with mental illness are inextricably intertwined with the perceived causes of mental illness (which include curses, witchcraft, cultural misdemeanor, and possession by spirits or demons). Symptoms of mental illness (mainly aggression and nudity) mark the mentally ill as different and expose them to labeling by the rest of the community. Generally, the mentally ill are stereotyped as aggressive, symbol of shame, and unpredictable.

Explanatory Models of Depression in a Rural Community of Coastal Karnataka, India: A Cross-Sectional Survey

2021 ◽  
pp. 025371762110510
Author(s):  
Sameeksha Hegde ◽  
Ravichandra Karkal
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Rural Community ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Explanatory Models ◽  
Case Vignette ◽  
Tension Stress ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Treatment Research

Background: Depression is a major public health problem but there is a huge treatment gap in India. Cultural beliefs influence conception of illness, personal meaning, help-seeking behaviors, and adherence to treatment. Research on explanatory models of depression attempt to explore these unique characteristics in an individual and the community. We set out to examine explanatory models of depression in a rural community of coastal Karnataka and explore the association between sociodemographic variables and explanatory models of depression. Methods: A cross-sectional household survey in the rural community of Harekala village, Mangaluru taluk, Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka, was done using Kish tables. A total of 200 individuals were interviewed with an adaptation of the Short Explanatory Model Interview in a local language using a case vignette of depression. Results: Around 40% of the individuals perceived the problem as tension/stress/excessive worrying and did not perceive it as mental illness. A scant 10% of the participants recognized some mental illness. Around one-fifth of the individuals attributed the problem to evil spirits and black magic; female participants were more likely to endorse consulting a doctor (P = 0.003**) or a psychiatrist (P = 0.012*). In addition, participants belonging to Islam were less likely to consult a doctor (P = 0.028*) and psychiatrist (P = 0.021*). Also, participants belonging to lower social class were less likely to endorse psychiatric consultation (P = 0.018*) Conclusions: A vast majority of the study subjects failed to identify depression as an illness or acknowledge biomedical causation. Gender, religion, and socioeconomic class may influence help-seeking behavior.

The role of moral explanations and structural inequalities in experiences of mental illness stigma in Northern Minas Gerais, Brazil

2021 ◽  
pp. 136346152110550
Author(s):  
Patrícia Neves Guimarães ◽  
Duncan Pedersen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Social Exclusion ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Minas Gerais ◽  
Psychosocial Treatment ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Mental Illness Stigma ◽  
Structured Interviews

The process of stigmatization within different cultural contexts has long been viewed as essential in understanding the course and outcomes of mental illness. However, little research has examined which cultural constructs and categories are used to explain mental illness, and how they contribute to the way people with mental illness experience stigma and social exclusion, as well as how these beliefs affect healthcare practices. This study examines meanings ascribed to mental illness and experiences of stigma among four groups in urban settings of Minas Gerais, Brazil: persons with mental illness; their families; members of the lay public; and health professionals working at an alternative community-based psychosocial treatment service or a local university hospital. Qualitative methods, including semi-structured interviews and participant observation, were conducted with a purposive sample of 72 participants. Data were analyzed through content analysis. The findings suggest that stigma and discrimination are intrinsically rooted in a systemic process of social exclusion generated by meanings ascribed to mental illness and the structural vulnerabilities of the mental healthcare system. The findings further suggest that structural inequality is a powerful factor behind lay concepts of mental illness and that this is particularly harmful because it reinforces personal blame attributions instead of addressing the hidden structural forces that contribute to mental illness. The study highlights the subtle interrelations between cultural beliefs and structural vulnerabilities that should be addressed in mental health policy in order to diminish the effects of stigma on people with mental illnesses.

Additional Considerations

2020 ◽  
pp. 103-110
Author(s):  
Amy Weisman de Mamani ◽  
Merranda McLaughlin ◽  
Olivia Altamirano ◽  
Daisy Lopez ◽  
Salman Shaheen Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Therapy Efficacy ◽  
Beliefs And Values ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
Difficult Challenge ◽  
Difficult Situations

This chapter discusses topics and obstacles not otherwise examined in previous chapters. For example, the chapter highlights research addressing whether clinician–client match on race/ethnicity and/or other cultural beliefs and values impacts therapy efficacy. More specifically, the chapter addresses how to deal with challenging families and clients, including those that are unmedicated, highly symptomatic, and/or who endorse delusional thought content. The difficult challenge of what to do when one or more family members wishes to distance themselves from their relative with mental illness is also addressed. Suggestions and skills that can be used for these and other difficult situations are discussed. Excerpts and example quotes are also provided for addressing difficulties such as inconsistent attendance, homework incompletion, or other difficulties that may be encountered during therapy.

scholarly journals Impact of Ethno-Cultural Beliefs On A Person With Mental Illness: A Case Report

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-47
Author(s):  
N Rajbhandari ◽  
DR Shakya ◽  
N Sapkota ◽  
M Basnet
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Social Development ◽  
Temporal Lobe ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Proper Treatment ◽  
Significant Delay ◽  
Left Temporal Lobe ◽  
Temporal Lobe Lesion

Culture, though difficult to define, is a collection of beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, customs, habits and behaviour which influence cognitions and social development of a patient. Cultures determine how sickness and illness are defined and that will determine what the first port of call is. It also colors the psychopathology. We here describe a case of a 36 years woman who presented with psychosis which co-occurred with left temporal lobe lesion who had significant delay in receiving proper treatment because of the ethno-cultural beliefs.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jpan.v3i1.11353 J Psychiatrists’ Association of Nepal Vol .3, No.1, 2014: 45-47

scholarly journals Exploring the role of Islam in perceptions of mental illness in a sample of Muslim psychiatrists based in Johannesburg

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Bulbulia ◽  
S Laher
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
South African ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Indigenous Theory ◽  
Islamic Values

<div class="column"><p><span><strong>Background</strong>. </span><span>Western definitions of, and approaches to, mental illness have been critiqued for their lack of incorporation of cultural and spiritual elements.</span></p><p><span><br /> </span><strong>Objective. </strong><span>To explore perceptions of mental illness, particularly in terms of the role of Islam in the understanding of mental illness among South African Muslim psychiatrists practising in Johannesburg. </span></p><p><span><strong>Methods</strong>. </span><span>Using a qualitative design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 7 Muslim psychiatrists in the Johannesburg area. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the transcribed data.<br /> </span></p><p><strong>Results. </strong><span>Psychiatrists subscribe to a more biomedical model of illness. The findings of this study also suggest that psychiatrists attempt to remain objective and to refrain from imposing their religious and cultural beliefs on their patients. However, their conceptualisation of mental illness is influenced by their religion and culture. Furthermore, all participating psychiatrists indicated that they always draw on Islamic values when treating their patients. Issues of cultural competence were also highlighted. Psychiatrists indicated that they were open to collaboration with traditional healers and psychologists but that this was quite challenging. </span></p><p><span><strong>Conclusion</strong>. </span><span>The necessity for formal bodies to develop routes for collaboration between healthcare professionals and traditional healers was brought to the fore. So, too, was the need to incorporate indigenous theory and knowledge into mainstream definitions and approaches to mental illness. </span></p></div>

scholarly journals An Exploration of Attitudes Towards Spiritual Care for Recovery from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgia Catherine Marshall
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Spiritual Care ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Allied Health Students ◽  
Post Traumatic

Spiritual-based care has been increasingly explored and investigated for its effectiveness for assisting mental illness, such as PTSD in the United States of America (Harris et al., 2018). Although research studies have attempted to explore attitudes towards spiritual care and the effectiveness of spiritual-based care for PTSD, few have explored attitudes regarding spiritual care for recovery from PTSD, especially from undergraduate allied health students.&nbsp;This paper explores the attitudes towards spiritual care for recovery from post-traumatic stress disorder, from undergraduate allied health students. The study adopted an interpretivist approach that deployed qualitative methods. The data collection method used for the study were semi-structured interviews. In total, four participants participated in the interviews. A thematic analysis was utilised to examine the datasets from the interviews.The research revealed that majority of participants had negative opinions regarding traditional medical treatment for PTSD and mental illness recovery. This led to the identification of barriers, such as stigma and cultural barriers, for seeking treatment for mental illness. Participants had positive opinions regarding spiritual care for assisting PTSD recovery, with recommendations that religious and spiritual needs must be assessed before the allocation of spiritual-based care to prevent conflict with patient’s religious or cultural beliefs.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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