ROLE OF CULTURE TOWARDS COMMUNITY PERCEPTION ABOUT MENTAL DISORDER

Abstract

Mental disorders cause significant morbidity because they are accompanied by other pandemics namely stigma and discrimination. Culture forms the expression, perception and treatment preferences so that each culture has its way of explaining mental disorders based on a set of beliefs and practices in determining the cause, health assistance seeking behavior and treatment/care options based on the prevailing local belief system and norms culture that influences an individual’s decision to seek and follow up on treatment and care. The objective of this study is to review the literature on the role of culture on people’s perceptions of mental disorders. Literature used in this study were obtained from relevant databases including EBSCO, PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar / Scholar are searched using a combination of search terms “culture” and “perception” and “mental illness” or “mental disorder”. Criteria for articles used are those published in 2004-2018. The results of this review include the causes of mental disorders including Divine anger, the presence of evil spirits, stress, biogenetic, psychobiological, social, air pollution. Symptoms of mental disorders in the form of changes in behavior, eccentric behavior, wandering. Treatment and care options through clinical, social intervention, and spiritual and religious healing. Community perceptions about mental disorders vary and the behavior of seeking health assistance in the community is influenced by the value system adopted. Culture influences perceptions about the causes of mental disorders, health assistance seeking behavior and treatment/care choices.