Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks
Onisia Brown
Socw-8550W
Walden University
27th March 2018
Abstract
The concept of mental illness in human beings is yet to be appreciated and understood especially among minority communities who also happen to be among the most impoverished housed in the country. The absence of physical evidence of illness barring the symptoms could be the primary cause for apprehension and confusion in regards to the human health regarding mental capabilities and impairments of a victim. In essence, the cultural beliefs held by the various Caribbean communities as far as psychological sickness is concerned differs considerably from the modern concept of mental challenges just as much as it differs from the European, Asian and African perception of the same. Comment by Alice Yick Flanagan: Onisia, this is quite a claim. There are quite a lot of studies about perceptions of mental illness, stereotypes and myths of mental illness and the role of culture. Comment by Alice Yick Flanagan: This abstract sounds like a position paper. In other words, it sounds like you are writing a paper on your opinions on this topic. Remember, science is supposed to be objective and value free.
An abstract is merely a summary of the entire document.
LITERATURE REVIEW
The environment within which an individual grows up determines the culture that he or she practices and becomes a member. Obviously, influences derived from the literature affects the manner in which individuals are subscribing to that line of thought interact with others even if they do not share the same cultural views. The way of interaction of Caribbean children with their non-Caribbean counterparts about mental illnesses based on their cultural beliefs form the bone of contention for the article review written.
Life in school can be quite confusing for the average American child due to the presence of different kinds of people from different backgrounds with whom the school is shared. For that matter, parents worry a lot about their children more so on things that directly affect the security, comfort and the academic performance of their offspring. One such factor is the beliefs that the children with whom they interact hold be they cultural, political, economic or even medical. The reason for parent's uncertainty stems from the fact that beliefs are highly contagious and one can easily convince the other to discard previously held views and embrace the ones advocated for by the former.
Essentially, mental health has remained a mystery for many societies over the years. When exploring the common mental problems facing refugees and immigrants, Kirmayer and fellow researchers found out that the Caribbean community sees victims of mental illnesses as people who are morally corrupted. In that society, psychological handicap is a result of a punitive measure given to them from a superhuman authority and thus one way or another, it is disciplinary action from the supernatural ( Kirmayer et al., 2011). Based on that belief, victims are stigmatized and sidelined making the victims themselves feel unwanted and makes them embrace habits that to them may look like consolation but in reality are harmful to them like drug abuse.
According to (Bhugra et al., 2011), the cultural values among immigrant populations towards people living with mental disorder create an aura of stigmatization. With the threat of isolation always hanging over their heads, people will be more reluctant in finding ways of coping with their condition and seeking treatment due to the fear of the states they bear becoming public knowledge. The World Psychiatrist Association is of the belief that increased stigmatization also prevents the families and loved ones of an individual from giving the patient adequate care and attention.
The stigmatization surrounding mental incapacitation spreads to the surrounding communities. Such instances reduce the possibility of providing equitable healthcare when it comes to psychological conditions. At any given time, neighborhoods are more likely to have more Caribbean patients with mental conditions than any other group as their patients are neither committed nor given specialized treatments like others. Instead, they wander uncared for or instead inappropriately cared for creating a state of confusion to the kids especially the very young ones without the understanding of what mental handicap means.
Despite the negativity oozing from the cultural perception that the Caribbean people have of mental illnesses, (Matheson et al., 2018) thinks that their understanding of mental disorders maybe not that bad and may have one or two ways through which professionals could manage patients. The article written by Matheson and company proposes the inclusion of the cultural understanding of the patient in his or her treatment especially when it is personalized. Synchronization of spiritualism and modern day treatment for a Caribbean patient may be exceptionally provided the background from which he or she comes. With such integration, the patient can feel free since treatment is underway as the belief is that something is spiritually wrong in him is carried. Invoking aspects of spiritual treatment show treatment thereby increase his comfort allowing the body to start responding to treatment.
In "Culture and Mental Health," Bhui explores the relationship between culture and mental health of many communities including Caribbean's. The pharmacology doctor alleges that the Latinas have various traditional methods of treating their patients if the families are strong enough to come out and seek treatment. However, most families bypass therapy for their kin, and even the most respected of persons lose that respect. The secret to managing mental disorders among their population is getting the family to sign off on their rehabilitation.
In conclusion, parents have a reason to be worried about the influence that Caribbean culture on mental challenges has on their children. The culture of the Caribbean people is a little harsh, but it is not anything that firm instructions and moral lessons cannot rub off our children. From the articles quoted and analyzed above, it is quite clear that cultural values have an immense influence on the lives of all affected by illnesses of the mind in both positive and negative ways. The best means of finding the optimum ways of dealing with the cultural challenge is finding a tolerable ground for both sides rather than eradicating a whole culture. Comment by Alice Yick Flanagan: Onisia, I am confused…did you upload the wrong assignment. I will give you a chance to revise this assignment.
Please carefully read the instructions for assignment 5. You need to identify a theory(theories) that will guide your study and then annotate 3 articles that relate to the theory.
Regards,
Dr. Alice Yick
References
Bhugra, D., Gupta, S., Bhui, K., Craig, T. O. M., Dogra, N., Ingleby, J. D., ... & Stompe, T. (2011). WPA guidance on mental health and mental health care in migrants. World Psychiatry, 10(1), 2-10.
Bhui, K. (2012). Culture and mental health: A comprehensive textbook. CRC Press.
Ezell, J. M., Choi, C. W. J., Wall, M. M., & Link, B. G. (2018). Measuring recurring stigma in the lives of individuals with mental illness. Community mental health journal, 54(1), 27-32.
Gilmer, T., Henwood, B., McGovern, N., Hurst, S., Burgdorf, J., & Innes-Gomberg, D. (2017). Health outcomes and costs associated with the provision of culturally competent services for underrepresented ethnic populations with severe mental illness. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 44(5), 782-791.
Kirmayer, L. J., Narasiah, L., Munoz, M., Rashid, M., Ryder, A. G., Guzder, J., & Pottie, K. (2011). Common mental health problems in immigrants and refugees: general approach in primary care. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 183(12), E959-E967.
Mascayano, F., Armijo, J. E., & Yang, L. H. (2015). Addressing stigma relating to mental illness in low-and middle-income countries. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 6, 38.
Matheson, K., Bombay, A., & Anisman, H. (2018). Culture as an ingredient of personalized medicine. Journal of psychiatry & neuroscience: JPN, 43(1), 3.
McCann, T. V., Renzaho, A., Mugavin, J., & Lubman, D. I. (2017). Stigma of mental illness and substance misuse in Sub‐Saharan African migrants: A qualitative study. International journal of mental health nursing.
Oexle, N., & Corrigan, P. W. (2018). Understanding Mental Illness Stigma toward Persons with Multiple Stigmatized Conditions: Implications of Intersectionality Theory. Psychiatric Services, app-ps.
Woodward, A. T. (2011). Discrimination and help-seeking: Use of professional services and informal support among African Americans, Black Caribbean, and non-Hispanic Whites with a mental disorder. Race and Social Problems, 3(3), 146.
Michelle_Michy
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