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A Qualitative Study of Religious Practices by Chronic Mentally Ill and their Caregivers in South India

Author

Listed:
  • R. Padmavati

    (Schizophrenia Research Foundation, Chennai, India, scarf@vsnl.com)

  • R. Thara

    (Schizophrenia Research Foundation, Chennai, India)

  • Ellen Corin

    (Departments of Psychiatry and Anthropology, McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Centre, 6875 Boul Lasalle Pavillon Dobel, Montreal, Quebec, H4H IR3, Canada,, corell@douglas.mcgill.ca)

Abstract

Background: Socio-cultural explanatory factors for mental health problems determine help seeking behaviors. The study aimed to understand the reasons mentally ill patients and their families in India choose to seek help from a religious site. Materials and methods: Persons with mental illness and their families were interviewed at religious sites using a guideline questionnaire. Issues such as significant life events, explanations for perceived abnormal behavior and reasons for choosing a specific religious site for ‘treatment’ were explored. Discussion: Seeking religious help for mental disorders is often a first step in the management of mental disorders as a result of cultural explanations for the illness. This behavior also has social sanctions.

Suggested Citation

  • R. Padmavati & R. Thara & Ellen Corin, 2005. "A Qualitative Study of Religious Practices by Chronic Mentally Ill and their Caregivers in South India," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 51(2), pages 139-149, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:51:y:2005:i:2:p:139-149
    DOI: 10.1177/0020764005056761
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Pfleiderer, Beatrix, 1988. "The semiotics of ritual healing in a North Indian Muslim shrine," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 27(5), pages 417-424, January.
    2. Samir Al-Adawi & Atsu S.S. Dorvlo & Suad S. Al-Ismaily & Dalal A. Al-Ghafry & Balquis Z. Al-Noobi & Ahmed Al-Salmi & David T. Burke & Mrugeshkumar K. Shah & Harith Ghassany & Suma P. Chand, 2002. "Perception of and Attitude towards Mental Illness in Oman," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 48(4), pages 305-317, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Michelle Kermode & Kathryn Bowen & Shoba Arole & Kaustubh Joag & Anthony F. Jorm, 2010. "Community Beliefs About Causes and Risks for Mental Disorders: a Mental Health Literacy Survey in a Rural Area of Maharashtra, India," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 56(6), pages 606-622, November.
    2. Irene Chung, 2010. "Changes in the Sociocultural Reality of Chinese Immigrants: Challenges and Opportunities in Help-Seeking Behaviour," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 56(4), pages 436-447, July.
    3. Harish Thippeswamy & Ajit Dahale & Geetha Desai & Prabha S Chandra, 2015. "What is in a name? Causative explanatory models of postpartum psychosis among patients and caregivers in India," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 61(8), pages 818-823, December.

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