Indigenous perspectives on depression in rural regions of India and the United States. Transcult Psychiatry 2011 Nov;48(5):539-68
Date
10/25/2011Pubmed ID
22021105DOI
10.1177/1363461511419274Scopus ID
2-s2.0-82455221327 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 38 CitationsAbstract
Depression is a major health concern in India, yet indigenous Indian perspectives on depression have often been disregarded in favor of Western conceptualizations. The present study used quantitative and qualitative measures modeled on the Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue (EMIC) to elicit beliefs about the symptoms, causes, treatments, and stigma associated with depression. Data were collected from 92 students at a university in the Himalayan region of Northern India and from 97 students at a university in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States. U.S. participants in this study were included primarily to approximate a "Western baseline" (in which professional conceptions of depression are predominantly rooted) from which to elucidate Indian perspectives. Compared to U.S. participants, Indian participants were more likely to view restive symptoms (e.g., irritation, anxiety, difficulty thinking) as common features of depression, to view depression as the result of personally controllable causes (e.g., failure), to endorse social support and spiritual reflection or relaxation (e.g., yoga, meditation) as useful means for dealing with depression, and to associate stigma with depression. Efforts aimed at reducing depression among Indians should focus more on implementing effective and culturally acceptable interventions, such as yoga, meditation, and increasing social support.
Author List
Nieuwsma JA, Pepper CM, Maack DJ, Birgenheir DGAuthor
Denis Birgenheir PhD Assistant Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Attitude to HealthCross-Cultural Comparison
Culture
Depression
Female
Humans
India
Interviews as Topic
Male
Rural Population
Socioeconomic Factors
Surveys and Questionnaires
Wyoming
Young Adult
