A Grounded Theory Approach to Greek Cypriots' Understanding OF Mental Health and Help Seeking Behaviours

Abstract

This research thesis explored how second generation Greek Cypriots understand issues of mental health and emotional wellbeing and their help seeking behaviours in relation to their culture. Coming from a critical realist point of view, 12 semi structured interviews were carried out and analysed using a grounded theory (GT) approach. Findings are discussed in light of current literature on cultural issues in psychology in general and Greek Cypriots in particular. In general participants saw mental health in the context of individual attributes but also equally if not more so, attributable to life circumstances and family relationships. Although compassionate towards people with mental health difficulties the majority saw themselves as resilient and able to cope and linked this to their upbringing. Four participants had had experience of therapy and all four experienced difficulties during the process relating to diversity issues. Family remains central to participants’ understanding of self and in relation to their own wellbeing. The core category was that of outlook on life as it encompasses notions of self, family and a philosophical stance in life, which filters all experiences. This outlook on life is an ever evolving concept with clear cultural origins through participants’ upbringing with an emphasis on getting on in life and appreciating what they have as opposed to that they don’t.