Explanatory models of mental disorders and treatment practices among traditional healers in Mpumalanga South Africa
| dc.contributor.author | Sorsdahl, Katherine Rae | |
| dc.contributor.author | Flisher, Alan | |
| dc.contributor.author | Wilson, Z | |
| dc.contributor.author | Stein, Dan | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2017-09-11T10:16:40Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2017-09-11T10:16:40Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2010 | |
| dc.date.updated | 2016-01-08T10:46:02Z | |
| dc.description.abstract | Objective: In many traditional belief systems in Africa, including South Africa, mental health problems may be attributed to the influence of ancestors or to bewitchment. Traditional healers are viewed as having the expertise to address these causes. However, there is limited information on their explanatory models and consequent treatment practices. The present study examines traditional healers’ explanatory models (EMs) and treatment practices for psychotic and non-psychotic mental illnesses.Method: 4 focus group discussions (8 healers in each group) and 18 in-depth interviews were conducted. Four vignettes were presented (schizophrenia, depression, panic and somatization) and traditional healers’ views on the nature of the problem, cause, consequence, treatment and patient expectations were elicited. Results: Traditional healers held multiple explanatory models for psychotic and non-psychotic disorders. Psychotic illnesses appear to be the main exemplar of mental illness and were treated with traditional medicine, while nonpsychotic illnesses were not viewed as a mental illness at all.Additionally, traditional healers do not only use herbs and substances solely from “traditional” sources but rather have incorporated into their treatment practices modern ingredients that are potentially toxic. Conclusion:Interventions aimed at increasing the mental health literacy of traditional healers are essential. In addition, investigations of the effectiveness of traditional healer treatment for psychiatric disorders should be conducted. | |
| dc.identifier.apacitation | Sorsdahl, K. R., Flisher, A., Wilson, Z., & Stein, D. (2010). Explanatory models of mental disorders and treatment practices among traditional healers in Mpumalanga South Africa. <i>African Journal of Psychiatry</i>, http://hdl.handle.net/11427/25143 | en_ZA |
| dc.identifier.chicagocitation | Sorsdahl, Katherine Rae, Alan Flisher, Z Wilson, and Dan Stein "Explanatory models of mental disorders and treatment practices among traditional healers in Mpumalanga South Africa." <i>African Journal of Psychiatry</i> (2010) http://hdl.handle.net/11427/25143 | en_ZA |
| dc.identifier.citation | Sorsdahl, K. R., Flisher, A. J., Wilson, Z., & Stein, D. J. (2010). Explanatory models of mental disorders and treatment practices among traditional healers in Mpumulanga, South Africa: original article. African journal of psychiatry, 13(4), 284-290. | |
| dc.identifier.ris | TY - Journal Article AU - Sorsdahl, Katherine Rae AU - Flisher, Alan AU - Wilson, Z AU - Stein, Dan AB - Objective: In many traditional belief systems in Africa, including South Africa, mental health problems may be attributed to the influence of ancestors or to bewitchment. Traditional healers are viewed as having the expertise to address these causes. However, there is limited information on their explanatory models and consequent treatment practices. The present study examines traditional healers’ explanatory models (EMs) and treatment practices for psychotic and non-psychotic mental illnesses.Method: 4 focus group discussions (8 healers in each group) and 18 in-depth interviews were conducted. Four vignettes were presented (schizophrenia, depression, panic and somatization) and traditional healers’ views on the nature of the problem, cause, consequence, treatment and patient expectations were elicited. Results: Traditional healers held multiple explanatory models for psychotic and non-psychotic disorders. Psychotic illnesses appear to be the main exemplar of mental illness and were treated with traditional medicine, while nonpsychotic illnesses were not viewed as a mental illness at all.Additionally, traditional healers do not only use herbs and substances solely from “traditional” sources but rather have incorporated into their treatment practices modern ingredients that are potentially toxic. Conclusion:Interventions aimed at increasing the mental health literacy of traditional healers are essential. In addition, investigations of the effectiveness of traditional healer treatment for psychiatric disorders should be conducted. DA - 2010 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town J1 - African Journal of Psychiatry LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2010 T1 - Explanatory models of mental disorders and treatment practices among traditional healers in Mpumalanga South Africa TI - Explanatory models of mental disorders and treatment practices among traditional healers in Mpumalanga South Africa UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/25143 ER - | en_ZA |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/25143 | |
| dc.identifier.vancouvercitation | Sorsdahl KR, Flisher A, Wilson Z, Stein D. Explanatory models of mental disorders and treatment practices among traditional healers in Mpumalanga South Africa. African Journal of Psychiatry. 2010; http://hdl.handle.net/11427/25143. | en_ZA |
| dc.language.iso | eng | |
| dc.publisher.department | Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health | en_ZA |
| dc.publisher.faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences | en_ZA |
| dc.publisher.institution | University of Cape Town | |
| dc.source | African Journal of Psychiatry | |
| dc.source.uri | https://journals.co.za/content/journal/medjda2 | |
| dc.subject.other | Explanatory models | |
| dc.subject.other | Traditional healers | |
| dc.subject.other | Mental illness | |
| dc.subject.other | South Africa | |
| dc.title | Explanatory models of mental disorders and treatment practices among traditional healers in Mpumalanga South Africa | |
| dc.type | Journal Article | en_ZA |
| uct.type.filetype | Text | |
| uct.type.filetype | Image |