Traditional Healers and Mental Health in Nepal: A Scoping Review.
Journal Article (Journal Article;Review)
Despite extensive ethnographic and qualitative research on traditional healers in Nepal, the role of traditional healers in relation to mental health has not been synthesized. We focused on the following clinically based research question, "What are the processes by which Nepali traditional healers address mental well-being?" We adopted a scoping review methodology to maximize the available literature base and conducted a modified thematic analysis rooted in grounded theory, ethnography, and phenomenology. We searched five databases using terms related to traditional healers and mental health. We contacted key authors and reviewed references for additional literature. Our scoping review yielded 86 eligible studies, 65 of which relied solely on classical qualitative study designs. The reviewed literature suggests that traditional healers use a wide range of interventions that utilize magico-religious explanatory models to invoke symbolic transference, manipulation of local illness narratives, roles, and relationships, cognitive restructuring, meaning-making, and catharsis. Traditional healers' perceived impact appears greatest for mild to moderate forms of psychological distress. However, the methodological and sample heterogeneity preclude uniform conclusions about traditional healing. Further research should employ methods which are both empirically sound and culturally adapted to explore the role of traditional healers in mental health.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Pham, TV; Kaiser, BN; Koirala, R; Maharjan, SM; Upadhaya, N; Franz, L; Kohrt, BA
Published Date
- March 2021
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 45 / 1
Start / End Page
- 97 - 140
PubMed ID
- 32444961
Pubmed Central ID
- PMC7680349
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1573-076X
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1007/s11013-020-09676-4
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- Netherlands