Susto as a cultural conceptualization of distress

Existing research and aspects to consider for future investigations

Datos Bibliográficos

ID2395536
AutoresFanny Beatriz Martínez-Radl (0000-0002-3480-0773, Goethe University Frankfurt, autor de correspondencia), Devon Emerson Hinton (Harvard Medical School), Ulrich Stangier (0000-0002-1945-1704, Goethe University Frankfurt)
Año2023
Volumen60
Número4
Páginas690-702
Fecha de publicación2023-08-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaTranscultural Psychiatric Research Review (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0041-1108 • E-ISSN: 0315-4386
EditorialSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/13634615231163986
PMID36991563
OpenAlexW4361277707
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas5
Referencias citadas36

Among the cultural conceptualizations of distress, susto is defined in the DSM-5 as 'a cultural explanation of distress and misfortune in Latin America that refers to an illness attributed to a terrifying event that causes the soul to leave the body and leads to unhappiness and illness, as well as difficulties in performing key social functions' (American Psychiatric Association (APA) (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition. Washington, DC: APA, p. 836). Thus, susto represents a cultural explanation that encompasses the symptoms of various mental disorders and physical diseases. We analyzed the descriptions of susto from different scientific fields and related them to definitions of DSM-5 syndromes. Three syndromic subtypes of susto show a symptomatic overlap with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and somatic disorder. However, linguistic metaphors describing symptoms and perceived causes that are specific for Latin American culture support the concept of susto as a specific idiom of distress (e.g., loss of soul, shadow or ajayu; sunken, closed or white eyes; jumping and screaming in the night; being thrown to the ground). In addition, if diagnostic criteria are met for mental disorders, then susto describes a perceived cause of psychopathological states (e.g., depressive disorder, PTSD, somatic disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder). Future research with people who have experienced susto is needed to clarify whether susto precedes the onset of other mental disorders (perceived cause) or whether it is a way of designating distress (idiom of distress

Anxiety · Distress · Panic disorder · Psychiatry · Psychopathology · Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · Cultural Differences and Values · Psychology