Indigenous perspectives on depression in rural regions of India and the United States

Abstract

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.

Stigmatising attitudes of undergraduates towards their peers with depression: a cross-sectional study in Sri Lanka

“…This aligns with previous findings of Sri Lankans possessing higher blaming attitudes than their British counterparts towards the mentally ill [25]. It is also consistent with an emerging pattern of blaming attitudes towards the mentally ill in Asian populations [25], with undergraduates perceiving depression to be a personal weakness or failure and a problem the person can get rid of or be blamed for [22, 42–44]. While reluctance to seek professional treatment is seen among undergraduates across many contexts [45, 46], such stigmatising attitudes about depression in these Asian contexts could further impede the treatment of those who are depressed.…”

Perceived Stigma and Associated Factors among People with Schizophrenia at Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Institution Based Study

“…Cultural and religious teachings often influence beliefs about the origins and nature of the illness and shape attitudes towards the mentally ill [9]. Microlevel stigma is the stigma existing at the individual.…”

Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Depression Among Community Members in Rural Gujarat, India

“…Current prevalence rates of depression reported in the literature vary on the basis of demographics: rates in rural India are as high as 30.1% (Kohli et al, 2013), whereas rates in urban India are lower, at 15.1% (Poongothai et al, 2009). Before the late 1970s, epidemiological studies indicated that clinical depression was nearly nonexistent in India (Nieuwsma et al, 2011), for which there are many possible explanations. Before the late 1970s, epidemiological studies indicated that clinical depression was nearly nonexistent in India (Nieuwsma et al, 2011), for which there are many possible explanations.…”

“…Before the late 1970s, epidemiological studies indicated that clinical depression was nearly nonexistent in India (Nieuwsma et al, 2011), for which there are many possible explanations. Research in primary care settings in India has shown that somatic symptoms are the presenting complaint in 97% of depressed patients (Nieuwsma et al, 2011), and patients with unexplained somatic symptoms are often found to experience depression or other psychiatric disorders (Nambi et al, 2002). Research in primary care settings in India has shown that somatic symptoms are the presenting complaint in 97% of depressed patients (Nieuwsma et al, 2011), and patients with unexplained somatic symptoms are often found to experience depression or other psychiatric disorders (Nambi et al, 2002).…”

“…Research in primary care settings in India has shown that somatic symptoms are the presenting complaint in 97% of depressed patients (Nieuwsma et al, 2011), and patients with unexplained somatic symptoms are often found to experience depression or other psychiatric disorders (Nambi et al, 2002). Compared with Americans, Indians are more likely to display stigmatizing attitudes toward depression and to attribute depression to personally controllable factors, such as personal failure or unfulfilled expectations (Nieuwsma et al, 2011). Stigma toward mental illness is prevalent and widespread in India.…”