Cultural idioms of distress among displaced populations: A scoping review.
The International journal of social psychiatry February 1, 2023 Flora Cohen
Cultural idioms of distress among displaced populations include shared injustice, spirit possession, and karma as common etiologies. Symptoms manifest as somatic complaints, 'thinking a lot', and interpersonal challenges like social isolation and fear of others. Community-level interventions—such as conflict-resolution mechanisms, reconciliation, and culturally grounded healing rituals—are proposed. Understanding these conceptualizations is vital for developing appropriate mental health and psychosocial support in humanitarian aid.