Ritual Healing and Modern Psychology: Insights from Shamanic Practices
Xinyue(Ivy) Li
Advances in Education, Humanities and Social Science Research March 5, 2026 DOI: 10.56028/aehssr.16.1.41.2026 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) digital mental health interventions |
| Topics | Shamanism |
| Key findings | Argues that integrating cultural elements, including traditional healing practices such as shamanic rituals, into modern psychological frameworks alongside CBT and digital interventions can enhance emotional resilience and cultural belonging among ethnic minority adolescents, and that mental health strategies should be tailored to specific contexts. |
Abstract
Adolescence is a critical period of identity formation and emotional development, during which minority youth often face unique psychological challenges. This paper explores how internal factors—such as self-identity conflicts—and external influences—particularly social media exposure—jointly affect the mental health of ethnic minority adolescents. Drawing on existing psychological and sociological literature, the study reviews the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and digital mental health interventions, while examining the potential of traditional cultural healing practices, such as shamanic rituals, as complementary approaches. The analysis finds that integrating cultural elements into modern psychological frameworks can enhance emotional resilience and reinforce cultural belonging among minority youth. At the same time, this article underscores the importance of developing mental health strategies tailored to adolescents in specific contexts. Future research could focus on integrating modern medical approaches with community-based cultural practices, aiming to foster a sense of belonging and well-being among minority youth.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on shamanism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hallucinogenic Drugs and Plants in Psychotherapy and Shamanism | 1998 | Review | |
| Hallucinogenic Mushrooms in Mexico: An Overview | 2008 | Review | |
| Healing, spirituality and integrative medicine. | 2017 | Review | |
| Introduction: Evidence for entheogen use in prehistory and world religions | 2019 | Review | |
| The Evolved Psychology of Psychedelic Set and Setting: Inferences Regarding the Roles of Shamanism and Entheogenic Ecopsychology | 2021 | Review |