Department of Psychloogy, Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, Achimota, P.O. Box AH 50, Ghana, West Africa
Review Article
Just Desserts, Hexes, and Stigma: No Compassion for the Mentally Ill in Ghana
Author(s): J Joana Kyei*
Although the knowledge of biological, psychological, and social contributions to psychopathology exists in Ghana, most individuals overwhelming ascribe supernatural origins to mental disorders. Under this paradigm, mental disorders are assumed to result from supernatural judgement for wrongs committed or from some sort of lack in an individual who makes them vulnerable to spiritual attacks. In addition, beliefs that individuals with mental disorders are contagious and dangerous lead to the unfortunate consequences of victim blaming and stigmatization. This paper explores the culture’s conceptualizations of mental disorders and social defenses used to communicate the culture’s anxiety around mental disorder states. Recommendations for addressing the stigma challenge in the culture using a small wins approach are discussed... View More»
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