Mental illness complicated by the santeria belief in spirit possession.
Hospital & community psychiatry November 1, 1988 DOI: 10.1176/ps.39.11.1188 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 4 |
| Population | Cuban American patients with mental illness who believe in spirit possession |
| Citations | 24 |
| Key findings | Belief in spirit possession can complicate the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness and should be evaluated as a nonspecific symptom within the patient's belief system and daily functioning, not as a culture-bound syndrome. |
Abstract
Santeria, a religious system that blends African and Catholic beliefs, is practiced by many Cuban Americans. One aspect of this system is the belief in spirit possession. Basic santeria beliefs and rituals, including the fiesta santera (a gathering at which some participants may become possessed), are briefly described, and four cases in which the patients' belief in possession played a role in their mental illness are presented. The belief in possession can complicate the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness, but it should not be considered a culture-bound syndrome. Rather, it may be a nonspecific symptom of a variety of mental illnesses and should be evaluated in the context of the patient's overall belief system and ability to carry out usual activities.