It's When the Trees Blossom

Explanatory Beliefs, Stigma, and Mental Illness in the Context of HIV in Botswana

Datos Bibliográficos

ID4679444
AutoresTimothy D Becker (0000-0002-8400-1312, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, autor de correspondencia), Ari R Ho-Foster (0000-0001-9817-8090, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA), Ohemaa B Poku (Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA), Ohemaa Poku (0000-0001-7658-2981, Boston University), Shathani Marobela (University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana), Haitisha Mehta (Columbia University, New York City, New York, USA), Dai Thi Xuan Cao (Columbia University, New York City, New York, USA), Lyla Sunyoung Yang (New York University), Lilo I Blank (University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA), Lilo Blank (0000-0002-4656-5715, University of Rochester), Vincent Ikageng Dipatane (Princess Marina Hospital, Gaborone, Botswana), Letumile Rogers Moeng (Princess Marina Hospital, Gaborone, Botswana), Keneilwe Molebatsi (0000-0003-4741-3278, University of Botswana School of Medicine, Gaborone, Botswana), Marlene M Eisenberg (University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA), Marlene Eisenberg (0000-0002-6042-058X, University of Pennsylvania), F K Barg (0000-0003-3328-1980, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA), Michael B Blank (0000-0002-6150-4777, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA), Philip Renison Opondo (University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA), Philip Opondo (0000-0002-6005-9309, University of Botswana), Lawrence Hsin Yang (0000-0001-7779-7423, New York University)
Año2019
Volumen29
Número11
Páginas1566-1580
Fecha de publicación2019-09-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaQualitative Health Research (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1049-7323 • E-ISSN: 1552-7557
EditorialSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1049732319827523
PMID30739566
OpenAlexW2914956923
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas9
Referencias citadas66

Mental illness is a common comorbidity of HIV and complicates treatment. In Botswana, stigma impedes treatment of mental illness. We examined explanatory beliefs about mental illness, stigma, and interactions between HIV and mental illness among 42 adults, from HIV clinic and community settings, via thematic analysis of interviews. Respondents endorse witchcraft as a predominant causal belief, in addition to drug abuse and effects of HIV. Respondents describe mental illness as occurring "when the trees blossom," underscoring a conceptualization of it as seasonal, chronic, and often incurable and as worse than HIV. Consequently, people experiencing mental illness (PEMI) are stereotyped as dangerous, untrustworthy, and cognitively impaired and discriminated against in the workplace, relationships, and sexually, increasing vulnerability to HIV. Clinical services that address local beliefs and unique vulnerabilities of PEMI to HIV, integration with peer support and traditional healers, and rehabilitation may best address the syndemic by facilitating culturally consistent recovery-oriented care

Assertive community treatment · Mental health · Mental illness · Psychiatry · Qualitative research · Thematic analysis · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Clinical Psychology · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Psychology