Magico-religious Beliefs in Schizophrenia: A study from Eastern part of Nepal
<p><strong>Background & Objectives:</strong> Schizophrenia is one of the commonest psychiatric disorders which require immediate interventions. Magico-Religious beliefs may affect the expression of psychopathology as beliefs are entrenched into human psyche. Local and commu...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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College of Medical Sciences
2017-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://nepjol.info/index.php/JCMSN/article/view/15046 |
| _version_ | 1819069514237607936 |
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| author | Nidesh Sapkota Dhana Ratna Shakya Baikuntha Raj Adhikari Arun Kumar Pandey Pramod Mohan Shyangwa |
| author_facet | Nidesh Sapkota Dhana Ratna Shakya Baikuntha Raj Adhikari Arun Kumar Pandey Pramod Mohan Shyangwa |
| author_sort | Nidesh Sapkota |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p><strong>Background & Objectives:</strong> Schizophrenia is one of the commonest psychiatric disorders which require immediate interventions. Magico-Religious beliefs may affect the expression of psychopathology as beliefs are entrenched into human psyche. Local and community beliefs in such phenomena appeared to be a factor in influencing the decision to seek magico-religious treatment. This study aimed (1) to determine attitude of patients and relatives with respect to magico-religious beliefs and its influence on psychopathology, and (2) to examine the relationship between psychopathology and major sociodemographic variables.</p><p><strong>Materials & Methods:</strong> All 50 consecutive cases of schizophrenia attending psychiatric services during study period were thoroughly evaluated. All the cases were diagnosed as per ICD 10 DCR criteria. The supernatural attitude questionnaire was applied.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> Fifty cases were studied. Among them, 48% belonged to the age-group of 25 to 34 years, the majority of them were male (62%), 82% were Hindus, and 64% married. Majority of the patients had undergone magico-religious treatment (n = 35). Among the sample, 68% consulted faith healer and 42% performed religious treatment during the illness period; 60% acknowledged personal belief in sorcery, 58% in ghosts, and 52% in spirit intrusion. Among them, 20% believed there was a link between sorcery and mental illness, and 20% believe spirit could cause mental illness. Among the samples, 38% found the link between sorcery and abnormal behaviour, 38% with evil spirit, and 22% due to planetary influences. Statistically significant association was noted in the belief that rituals can improve patient behaviour and local belief in supernatural influences.</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> There is a common belief in the relationship between supernatural influences and mental illness among the relatives of the patients. Such beliefs and magicoreligious treatment do occur during the course of the illness.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T16:51:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-12a204694e0b4e5c958000700d957190 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2091-0657 2091-0673 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T16:51:15Z |
| publishDate | 2017-01-01 |
| publisher | College of Medical Sciences |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal |
| spelling | doaj.art-12a204694e0b4e5c958000700d9571902022-12-21T18:56:52ZengCollege of Medical SciencesJournal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal2091-06572091-06732017-01-0112415015910.3126/jcmsn.v12i4.1504612733Magico-religious Beliefs in Schizophrenia: A study from Eastern part of NepalNidesh Sapkota0Dhana Ratna Shakya1Baikuntha Raj Adhikari2Arun Kumar Pandey3Pramod Mohan Shyangwa4BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, DharanBP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, DharanBP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, DharanBP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, DharanBP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan<p><strong>Background & Objectives:</strong> Schizophrenia is one of the commonest psychiatric disorders which require immediate interventions. Magico-Religious beliefs may affect the expression of psychopathology as beliefs are entrenched into human psyche. Local and community beliefs in such phenomena appeared to be a factor in influencing the decision to seek magico-religious treatment. This study aimed (1) to determine attitude of patients and relatives with respect to magico-religious beliefs and its influence on psychopathology, and (2) to examine the relationship between psychopathology and major sociodemographic variables.</p><p><strong>Materials & Methods:</strong> All 50 consecutive cases of schizophrenia attending psychiatric services during study period were thoroughly evaluated. All the cases were diagnosed as per ICD 10 DCR criteria. The supernatural attitude questionnaire was applied.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> Fifty cases were studied. Among them, 48% belonged to the age-group of 25 to 34 years, the majority of them were male (62%), 82% were Hindus, and 64% married. Majority of the patients had undergone magico-religious treatment (n = 35). Among the sample, 68% consulted faith healer and 42% performed religious treatment during the illness period; 60% acknowledged personal belief in sorcery, 58% in ghosts, and 52% in spirit intrusion. Among them, 20% believed there was a link between sorcery and mental illness, and 20% believe spirit could cause mental illness. Among the samples, 38% found the link between sorcery and abnormal behaviour, 38% with evil spirit, and 22% due to planetary influences. Statistically significant association was noted in the belief that rituals can improve patient behaviour and local belief in supernatural influences.</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> There is a common belief in the relationship between supernatural influences and mental illness among the relatives of the patients. Such beliefs and magicoreligious treatment do occur during the course of the illness.</p>http://nepjol.info/index.php/JCMSN/article/view/15046Magico-Religious beliefSchizophreniapsychopathology. |
| spellingShingle | Nidesh Sapkota Dhana Ratna Shakya Baikuntha Raj Adhikari Arun Kumar Pandey Pramod Mohan Shyangwa Magico-religious Beliefs in Schizophrenia: A study from Eastern part of Nepal Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal Magico-Religious belief Schizophrenia psychopathology. |
| title | Magico-religious Beliefs in Schizophrenia: A study from Eastern part of Nepal |
| title_full | Magico-religious Beliefs in Schizophrenia: A study from Eastern part of Nepal |
| title_fullStr | Magico-religious Beliefs in Schizophrenia: A study from Eastern part of Nepal |
| title_full_unstemmed | Magico-religious Beliefs in Schizophrenia: A study from Eastern part of Nepal |
| title_short | Magico-religious Beliefs in Schizophrenia: A study from Eastern part of Nepal |
| title_sort | magico religious beliefs in schizophrenia a study from eastern part of nepal |
| topic | Magico-Religious belief Schizophrenia psychopathology. |
| url | http://nepjol.info/index.php/JCMSN/article/view/15046 |
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