Conceptualizing Psychosis in Uganda
Joanna Teuton, Richard P. Bentall, Christopher F Dowrick
Transcultural Psychiatry March 1, 2007 DOI: 10.1177/1363461507074976 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Indigenous and religious healers in urban Uganda |
| Citations | 47 |
| Key findings | Indigenous healers primarily understood 'madness' as spiritual or physiological, whereas religious healers also held psychological models. The authors contend that these explanatory models are linked to historical and sociopolitical context, may be useful to individuals with psychotic experiences, and are likely dynamic and continually changing. |
Abstract
A qualitative study, investigating the representations and explanatory models of ;madness' held by indigenous and religious healers, was undertaken in urban Uganda. Case vignettes of individuals with a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder were discussed by the healers in terms of phenomenology, causality, intervention and outcome. Indigenous healers primarily understood ;madness' as spiritual or physiological, whereas religious healers also held psychological models. Healers' understandings of ;madness' are inextricably linked with the historical and sociopolitical context and may be useful to individuals with psychotic experiences, however, it is likely that these models are dynamic and continually changing.