A qualitative study exploring the epistemology of suffering within a Malaysian Indigenous tribe
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 2395586 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Justine Jian-Ai Thong (Monash University Malaysia), Justine Jian‐ai Thong (0000-0002-8620-7533, Monash University Malaysia), Rachel Sing-Kiat Ting (0000-0002-2932-9593, Monash University Malaysia, corresponding author), Tomomi Takeuchi (0000-0003-1111-8218, Orality and Community Development, Malaysia), Laura Jobson (0000-0002-1534-897X, Monash University), Maude Elvira Phipps (0000-0001-8314-068X, Monash University Malaysia) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 62 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 305-321 |
| Publication date | 2025-04-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Transcultural Psychiatric Research Review (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0041-1108 • E-ISSN: 0315-4386 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1177/13634615231225158 |
| PMID | 38356281 |
| OpenAlex | W4391837479 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 5 |
| References cited | 55 |
Despite the universal nature of suffering, few studies have examined how Indigenous ethnic minorities in non-western regions understand and respond to adversity. This study explored the epistemology of suffering among the Temiar ethnic group of Peninsular Malaysia using participant observation and semi-structured interviews. Interview transcripts of 43 participants were coded through inductive thematic analysis and a consensual qualitative approach. Three-tier themes were defined and named after subsequent analysis of core ideas and domains in the data. Major adversities reported included a lack of basic needs, lack of land-rights and unjust treatment from authorities, destruction of the forest environment and livelihood, and lack of accessibility and facilities, which were attributed to authorities' negligence of responsibilities, increasing human-animal conflict, environmental threats and imposed lifestyle changes. Faced with adversity, the Temiar endeavoured to survive by working crops and gathering forest resources. They utilized resources from family, fellow villagers, external agencies and spiritual-religious traditions. Theoretical mapping of attribution styles into the Ecological Rationality Framework revealed predominantly external-focused and concrete-perceptual rationalities privileged by strong-ties societies. These findings pointed to the resilience of a strong-ties community while adapting to the systemic suffering and risk factors stemming from a rationality mismatch with modernization and globalization trends. To conclude, we advocate for culture-sensitive mental health and psychiatric practices, as well as sustainable development for the well-being of Indigenous communities locally and globally
Emic and etic · Environmental ethics · Ethnic group · Indigenous · Livelihood · Participant observation · Political science · Psychological resilience · Qualitative research · Rationality · Social science · Sociology · Thematic analysis · Tribe · Anthropology · Community Health and Development · Ecology · Law · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction · Psychology · Resilience and Mental Health · Social Psychology
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| Unique citing works | 5 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 5 |
| Citation span | 2025 - 2026 (2) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 5 |