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

Publication ,  Journal Article
Nieuwsma, JA; Pepper, CM; Maack, DJ; Birgenheir, DG
Published in: Transcult Psychiatry
November 2011

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.

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Published In

Transcult Psychiatry

DOI

EISSN

1461-7471

Publication Date

November 2011

Volume

48

Issue

5

Start / End Page

539 / 568

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Wyoming
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Rural Population
  • Psychiatry
  • Male
  • Interviews as Topic
  • India
  • Humans
 

Citation

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Nieuwsma, J. A., Pepper, C. M., Maack, D. J., & Birgenheir, D. G. (2011). Indigenous perspectives on depression in rural regions of India and the United States. Transcult Psychiatry, 48(5), 539–568. https://doi.org/10.1177/1363461511419274
Nieuwsma, Jason A., Carolyn M. Pepper, Danielle J. Maack, and Denis G. Birgenheir. “Indigenous perspectives on depression in rural regions of India and the United States.Transcult Psychiatry 48, no. 5 (November 2011): 539–68. https://doi.org/10.1177/1363461511419274.
Nieuwsma JA, Pepper CM, Maack DJ, Birgenheir DG. Indigenous perspectives on depression in rural regions of India and the United States. Transcult Psychiatry. 2011 Nov;48(5):539–68.
Nieuwsma, Jason A., et al. “Indigenous perspectives on depression in rural regions of India and the United States.Transcult Psychiatry, vol. 48, no. 5, Nov. 2011, pp. 539–68. Pubmed, doi:10.1177/1363461511419274.
Nieuwsma JA, Pepper CM, Maack DJ, Birgenheir DG. Indigenous perspectives on depression in rural regions of India and the United States. Transcult Psychiatry. 2011 Nov;48(5):539–568.
Journal cover image

Published In

Transcult Psychiatry

DOI

EISSN

1461-7471

Publication Date

November 2011

Volume

48

Issue

5

Start / End Page

539 / 568

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Wyoming
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Rural Population
  • Psychiatry
  • Male
  • Interviews as Topic
  • India
  • Humans