Although traditional initiation forms a pivotal part of Xhosa culture, it may be a stressful life event for the individual. In this study, 75 Xhosa males diagnosed with schizophrenia were interviewed to examine their perceptions of the role of initiation in the onset and course of their illness. In all, eight patients (10.7%) perceived the initiation rites as a stressful event that had triggered the onset of a psychotic episode, and six (8%) felt it precipitated a relapse. Our findings suggest that initiation rituals may be perceived as a stressful life event influencing the onset and course of schizophrenia. This underlines the importance of understanding the cultural background of patients.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1363461507077728 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Understanding the roles of Alternative Rites of Passage and Public Declarations in FGM/C abandonment: An ethnographic study among the Loita Maasai, Kenya.
Soc Sci Med
October 2024
University of Nairobi, Kenya. Electronic address:
Article Synopsis
- This article talks about how the Maasai community in Kenya is changing their views on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) and what's helping that change.
- Researchers found that a group called S.A.F.E. is helping by creating songs and a new way to celebrate girls’ initiation that doesn't involve FGM/C.
- Although some people in the community still practice FGM/C due to cultural beliefs, changes in education and laws are slowly making it less common.
Teenage pregnancy and marriage are major concerns in many schools in Togo, due to the large number of cases recorded each year by the Ministry of Primary, Secondary, Technical Education, and Handicrafts. The aim of this article is to describe the rites associated with early pregnancy and the perceptions held by the populations of Gando in the Savannah region. The study was based on documentary research and interviews with several actors, including initiating priests, canton chiefs, and young initiates.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTraditional socio-cultural practices and early pregnancies in Togo: Between social norms and violation of adolescent rights.
Afr J Reprod Health
August 2024
Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial.
This article shows how certain traditional socio-cultural practices that influence the root causes of teenage pregnancy violate the rights of adolescents. The data came from the action-research entitled "Multisectoral and transformative approaches to rites and initiations for adolescent sexual and reproductive health rights", conducted by the Togolese Association for Family Welfare (ATBEF) in May 2022. The option is made for a qualitative approach.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInfluence of vodou rites and initiation practices on incidence of early pregnancy in the maritime region of Togo.
Afr J Reprod Health
August 2024
Equipe de recherché de l'Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF).
Togo, like other sub-Saharan African countries, is not spared from the phenomenon of teenage pregnancies. Each year, on average, about ten cases of teenage student pregnancies are recorded in schools. Despite multiple efforts by the Togolese government and non-governmental organizations to stem this phenomenon, it still persists and is growing.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDecoloniality and women's agency in sex education in Zambia.
Hum Organ
April 2024
Department of Anthropology, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
In 2018, 22 teachers and four government officers started a six-month development process, designed to integrate a gender-equity lens into sex education in Eastern Province, Zambia. The initiative was funded by the Dutch Government. In this article, I explore the emancipatory potential and limits of this gender transformative approach.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!