Dissociative trance and spirit possession: Challenges for cultures in transition.
Vishal Bhavsar, Antonio Ventriglio, Dinesh Bhugra
Psychiatry Clin Neurosci September 18, 2016 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.12425 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 49 |
| Key findings | Dissociative possession and trance disorders are phenomenologically related and display similar epidemiological associations, but their cross-cultural validity is debated. |
Abstract
The cross-cultural validity of dissociative possession and trance disorders is a matter of some debate, limiting research and meaningful interpretation of prevalence data. Intimate to these concerns is the status of spirit possession categories studied in the social sciences, particularly anthropology. These two categories are phenomenologically related and display similar epidemiological associations. In India, dissociative and conversion disorders are fairly common in clinical settings. There is no doubt that there are true cultural variations in possession and trance disorders. A new framework may enable clinicians to better understand possession states and spirit possession.