Initiation Rites as a Perceived Stressor for Isixhosa Males with Schizophrenia

Although traditional initiation forms a pivotal part of Xhosa culture, it may be a stressful life event for the individual. In this study, 75 Xhosa males diagnosed with schizophrenia were interviewed to examine their perceptions of the role of initiation in the onset and course of their illness. In all, eight patients (10.7%) perceived the initiation rites as a stressful event that had triggered the onset of a psychotic episode, and six (8%) felt it precipitated a relapse. Our findings suggest that initiation rituals may be perceived as a stressful life event influencing the onset and course of schizophrenia. This underlines the importance of understanding the cultural background of patients

Developmental psychology · Perception · Psychiatry · Psychosis · Stressor · Xhosa · Clinical Psychology · Mental Health and Psychiatry · Neuroscience · Psychology · Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments · Schizophrenia research and treatment

• Carrying the culture

  Jolandie du Plessis, Luzelle Naudé•Journal of Psychology in Africa•2017

  Incluir item

• Correlates of consistent condom use among recently initiated and traditionally circumcised men in the rural areas of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

  Open Access•Anam Nyembezi, Robert A C Ruiter et al.•BMC Public Health•2014

  Incluir item

• The Association Between Ethnic Identity and Condom Use Among Young Men in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

  Open Access•Anam Nyembezi, K Resnicow et al.•Archives of Sexual Behavior•2014

  Incluir item

• The association between ethnic identity and sexual coercion among young men in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

  Open Access•Anam Nyembezi, K Resnicow et al.•Journal of Health Psychology•2012

  Incluir item

• The psychosocial determinants of the intention to reduce the number of sexual partners among recent traditionally initiated and circumcized men in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

  Open Access•Anam Nyembezi, Itumeleng Funani et al.•Journal of Health Psychology•2012

  Incluir item

• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

  American Psychiatric Association American Psychiatric Association, American…•Diagnostic and Statistical Manual…•2022

  Incluir item

• Vulnerability

  Joseph Zubin, Barbara Spring•Journal of Abnormal Psychology•1977

  Incluir item

• The Socio-Economic Context of Initiation Ceremonies Among Two Southern African Peoples

  Peter Carstens•Canadian Journal of African…•1982

  Incluir item

• Between death and shame

  Open Access•Carolyn Sargent•Social Science & Medicine•1984

  Incluir item

• Use of indigenous and indigenised medicines to enhance personal well-being

  Open Access•Michelle Cocks, Valerie Møller•Social Science & Medicine•2002

  Incluir item