2. Psychological models of illness
ABSOLUTIST
CULURAL RELATIVISM
Culture and context play no role
Response to illness is culture driven
Illness can be measured with
Illnesses are measured with culturally
standardized tests regardless of where bound measures
they occur
Treatments are bound by cultural values
Treatments around the world can be and beliefs
uniform
UNIVERSALISM
Basic psychological processes are common to all members of a species, while culture
influences the development and display of these psychological characteristics
Illness is measured by tests altered for culturally meaningful measures
Treatments given based on underlying process
3. NEGATIVE CULTURAL
PERCETIONS
of illness
Some Religious groups
Indian Cultures
Judgement of God
Disability is a punishment for past-life
sins
punishment
Latino cultures
Chinese Cultures
Disability is a curse stemming from the
Disability removes an individuals
“evil eye” legitimacy in the community
4. POSITIVE CULTURAL
PERCEPTIONS
of illness
NAVAJO
Reveres the ill person as a teacher
Brings a sixth sense to the community
Has a unique gift
Concerned that efforts to cure the illness will interfere with the message of the person
5. Sources of support
COLLECTIVIST
INDIVIDUALISTIC
CULTURE CULTURE
Medical professionals
Family members
Social workers
Community groups
Paid carers
Social support groups
6. Sources of support
COLLECTIVIST
INDIVIDUALISTIC
CULTURE CULTURE
Medical professionals
Family members
Social workers
Community groups
Paid carers
Social support groups
7. THE OPEN MEDICAL MIND
Can negotiate regarding cultural practices
Open to discussions
Willing to inform patients/family/community members
Allows for culturally bound options
8. Erving Goffman
defined stigma as ‘‘the situation
of the individual who is disqualified from full social
acceptance”
9. CONCEALABILITY
Can the neurological illness be hidden, or is it obvious?
Is the patient bound to a wheelchair?
Can they control their own body functions and movements (spasticity)?
Is there visible paralysis (hemiparesis)?
Is their speech slurred and/or overly loud (Aphasia)?
Is there evidence of incontinence?
Does the patient follow social norms?
10. COURSE
HOW WILL THE ILLNESS PROGRESS OVER TIME?
Will dementia worsen – cognitive abilities?
Will aphasia progress – comprehend and participate in communication?
Will the Pseudobulbar affect worsen – inappropriate laughing or crying?
Will depression worsen?
Will the ability to follow social norms diminish?
11. DISRUPTIVENESS
INTERFERENCE WITH USUAL PATTERNS OF SOCIAL INTERACTIONS
Cognitive abilities
Communication abilities
Vascular Dementia
Pseudobulbar affect, sometimes referred to as emotional lability, pathological crying
and laughing or emotional incontinence.
12. ORIGIN
PERCEIVED CAUSE AND LEVEL OF RESPONSIBILITY A PERSON HAS FOR
CONTRACTING THE ILLNESS
Poor lifestyle choices – excessive drinking, drugs, sexual behaviors, overweight etc
Perpetual self induced stress
Lack of self-care
Ignored warning signs
13. PERIL
FEAR AND DANGER ASSOCIATED WITH A PERSON'S ILLNESS
Can that happen to me?
How do I behave now they are sick?
Loss of the person I knew
Fear of embarrassing myself
14. References
Bergen, D. C. (2008). Neurological Disorders: Public Health Challenges. Archives of Neurology, 65(1), 154.
Duffey, T., & Somody , C. (201). The role of relational-cultural theory in mental health counseling. Journal of Mental Health Counseling,
33(3), 223-242.
McCabe, M. P., Roberts, C., & Firth, L. (2008). Work and recreational changes among people with neurological illness and their caregivers.
Disability and Rehabilitation, 30(8), 600-610. doi: 10.1080/09638280701400276.
O’Connor, E. J., & McCabe, M. P. (2011). Predictors of quality of life in carers for people with a progressive neurological illness: A
longitudinal study. Quality Life Research, 20, 703-711. doi: 0.1007/s11136-010-9804-4.
Rao, D., Choi, S. W., Victorson, D., Bode, R., Peterman, A., Heinemann, A., & Cella, D. (2009). Measuring stigma across neurological
conditions: the development of the stigma scale for chronic illness (ssci). Quality of Life Research, 18, 585-595. doi: 10.1007/s11136-
009-9475-1.
Ravindran, N., & Myers, B. (2011). Cultural influences on perceptions of health, illness, and disability: A review and focus on autism. Journal
of Child and Family Studies, 21(2), 311-319. doi: 10.1007/s10826-011-9477.