Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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An alternative explanation for cross-cultural differences in the expression of psychopathy
- Authors:
- WERNKE Melinda R., HUSS Matthew T.
- Journal article citation:
- Aggression and Violent Behavior, 13(3), June 2008, pp.229-236.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Multicultural research has shown that rates of psychopathy differ between North America and Europe. Many suggestions have been given to help explain this divergence, including: cultural factors, migration, and inter-rater effects. However, past research has not explored the possibility that samples may be inherently different independent of a cultural factor. This paper explores the prospect of multicultural samples differing due to effects of the legal system. Research suggests that incarceration policies may affect the percentage of psychopaths in the prison systems, where the majority of psychopathy research takes place. Future research and policy implications are discussed to further explore this possibility.
Pathology and the postmodern: mental illness as discourse and experience
- Editor:
- FEE Dwight
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Publication year:
- 2000
- Pagination:
- 288p.,bibliogs.
- Place of publication:
- London
Explores the relationship between mental distress and social constructionism using new work in the fields of sociology, psychology and philosophy. The authors rework modernist assumptions about the phenomenology of mental dysfunction. suggests the cultural, historical and political conditions that should be implicated in our understanding of contemporary mental suffering.
The butterfly and the serpent: essays in psychiatry, race and religion
- Author:
- LITTLEWOOD Roland
- Publisher:
- Free Association
- Publication year:
- 1998
- Pagination:
- 354p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
Collection of papers on cultural psychiatry and medical anthropology, focusing on the influence race, gender, religion and culture have on behaviour. Includes chapters on: an alternative approach to anthropology and psychiatry; the individual articulation of shared symbols; against pathology; from vice to madness; an indigenous conceptualisation of reactive depression in Trinidad; verticality as the idiom for mood and disorder; the effectiveness of words; and from demonic possession to multiple personality.
Understanding differences in past year psychiatric disorders for Latinos living in the US
- Authors:
- ALEGRIA Margarita, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Social Science and Medicine, 65(2), July 2007, pp.214-230.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
This study seeks to identify risk factors for psychiatric disorders that may explain differences in nativity effects among adult Latinos in the USA. The authors evaluate whether factors related to the processes of acculturation and enculturation, immigration factors, family stressors and supports, contextual factors, and social status in the US account for differences in 12-month prevalence of psychiatric disorders for eight subgroups of Latinos. The authors report results that differentiate Latino respondents by country of origin and age at immigration (whether they were US-born or arrived before age 6: In-US-as-Child [IUSC]; or whether they arrived after age 6: later-arrival immigrants [LAI]). After age and gender adjustments, LAI Mexicans and IUSC Cubans reported a significantly lower prevalence of depressive disorders than IUSC Mexicans. Once adjustment for differences in family stressors, contextual factors and social status factors were made, these differences were no longer significant. The risk for anxiety disorders appears no different for LAI compared to IUSC Latinos, after age and gender adjustments. For substance use disorders, family factors do not offset the elevated risk of early exposure to neighbourhood disadvantage, but coming to the US after age 25 does offset it. Family conflict and burden were consistently related to the risk of mood disorders. These findings suggest that successful adaptation into the US is a multidimensional process that includes maintenance of family harmony, integration in advantageous US neighbourhoods, and positive perceptions of social standing. These results uncover that nativity may be a less important independent risk factor for current psychiatric morbidity than originally thought.
The construction of religious and cultural meaning in Egyptian psychiatric patient charts
- Author:
- COKER Elizabeth M.
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Religion and Culture, 7(4), December 2004, pp.323-347.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This paper explores the use of religious symbols and metaphors in Egyptian psychiatric inpatient charts to portray psychiatric pathology and, by extension, the role that religious symbols play in constructing psychiatric illnesses. This represents a deconstruction of patient charts, assuming that the psychiatrist chooses aspects of family and patient discourse which best represent unexamined cultural ideas of person and illness, normality and abnormality. All of the psychiatrists writing the charts were Egyptian and shared much of the same cultural background with their patients, excluding their medical training. Therefore, while chart discourse is used to justify a psychiatric diagnosis, it is also the product of a shared cultural history; a tacit agreement about what constitutes a meaningful story. This paper focuses mainly upon discourse that has religious connotations, for the reason that these seemed to be more invested with cultural meaning than other delusional themes. These religious symbols and metaphors are interpreted in light of their symbolic associations with certain existential states, the family unit and with society as a whole.
The social nature of mental illness
- Author:
- BOWERS Len
- Publisher:
- Routledge
- Publication year:
- 2000
- Pagination:
- 226p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
Aims to offer an objective and philosophical critique of theories of mental illness as a social construct. Attempts to examine the rationality of these theories, what they might mean, and the grounds on which they can be accepted or rejected. Examines the common ground between apologists for and critics of psychiatry, and discusses how this debate affects research and treatment in mental illness. Argues that many of the assertions made about the social nature of mental illness are misguided or wrong, but concludes they cannot be wholly rejected.
Afro-saxon psychosis or cultural schizophrenia in African-Caribbeans?
- Author:
- MAHARAJH Hari D.
- Journal article citation:
- Psychiatric Bulletin, 24(3), March 2000, pp.96-97.
- Publisher:
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
The experience of both the psychiatrist and population is of critical importance in the description of indigenous phenomena. This paper demonstrates the widespread use of a host of metaphors within the Caribbean and other communities illustrating the concept of cultural marginalisation. This is reflected in the song, prose, poetry and art of the region.
Exclusion and stigma: implications for community psychiatric services in Sarawak, Malaysia
- Author:
- CRABTREE S. Ashencaen
- Journal article citation:
- Asia Pacific Journal of Social Work, 9(1), March 1999, pp.114-126.
- Publisher:
- Times Academic
The article focuses on care-giving families of psychiatric service-users in Kuching, Sarawak. Issues of marginalisation and dynamics of exclusion of families are explored in relation to Labelling theory and multi-cultural interpretations of mental illnesses.
Psychotherapy and the spiritual quest
- Author:
- PITCHON Eduardo
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Religion and Culture, 1(2), November 1998, pp.113-125.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This paper explores what psychotherapy might offer individuals with spiritual concerns. Theoretical, emotional and practical difficulties in the relations between psychoanalysis and spirituality are discussed. Three kinds of patients are identified vis-a-vis their relationship with spirituality. Illustrative case histories are offered and discussed.
Elements of culture and mental health: critical questions for clinicians
- Author:
- BHUI Kamaldeep
- Publisher:
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 112p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Acknowledging the need for mental health professionals to ensure that interventions are culturally appropriate, acceptable and ethical, this book aims to assist professionals to work confidently with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. Developed by service users, practitioners, teachers and researchers, it presents clinical scenario essays focusing on improving the quality of care for culturally diverse populations. It includes discussion of challenges and obstacles to improving care, treatments and interventions, and working with interpreters. References for further reading are included.