“It’s only ‘madness’ that I know”
Analysis of how mental illness is conceptualised by congregants of selected Charismatic churches in Ghana
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 19504994 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Joana Salifu Yendork (0000-0001-5665-3404, Department of Psychology, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana, corresponding author), Lily N A Kpobi (0000-0002-7074-5804, Department of Psychiatry, University of Ghana School of Medicine and Dentistry, Accra, Ghana), Elizabeth Anokyewaa Sarfo (0000-0003-2794-0329, University of Ghana) |
| Year | 2016 |
| Volume | 19 |
| Issue | 9 |
| Pages | 984-999 |
| Publication date | 2016-10-20 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Mental Health Religion & Culture (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1367-4676 • E-ISSN: 1469-9737 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/13674676.2017.1285877 |
| OpenAlex | W2588209969 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 16 |
| References cited | 26 |
In Ghana, many individuals employ traditional and faith healing for treating illnesses. Although attitudes and knowledge of laypeople on mental illness have been explored, little is known about Christians’ knowledge and how the church influences such knowledge. The present study explored knowledge on definition, types and symptoms of mental illness, church teachings on mental illness and the influence of such teachings on the mental well-being of 86 congregants of six Charismatic churches in Ghana. Through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and observations, we found that knowledge surrounded psychotic disorders with a few citing other DSM/ICD categories. Regarding church teachings, some churches provided education and spiritual healing, and others emphasised non-existence of, and immunity from, mental illness. Findings showed the “double-edged” role of religion in enhancing and hindering congregants’ mental well-being. The paper concludes with an argument for psycho-education on mental illness and collaboration between churches and mental health practitioners
Charisma · Epistemology · Faith · Faith healing · Mental health · Mental illness · Political science · Psychiatry · Psychotherapist · Law · Medicine · Psychology · Religion, Society, and Development · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Social Psychology · Theological Perspectives and Practices
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| Unique citing works | 16 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 2 |
| Citation span | 2018 - 2026 (9) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 15 |