Abstract
In assessing the mental health of HIV/AIDS-affected children and adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa, researchers often employ mental health measures developed in other settings. However, measures derived from standard Western psychiatric criteria are frequently based on conceptual models of illness or terminology that may or may not be an appropriate for diverse populations. Understanding local perceptions of mental health problems can aid in the selection or creation of appropriate measures. This study used qualitative methodologies (Free Listing, Key Informant interviews, and Clinician Interviews) to understand local perceptions of mental health problems facing HIV/AIDS-affected youth in Rwinkwavu, Rwanda. Several syndrome terms were identified by participants: agahinda kenshi, kwiheba, guhangayika, ihahamuka, umushiha, and uburara. While these local syndromes share some similarities with Western mood, anxiety, and conduct disorders, they also contain important culture-specific features and gradations of severity. Our findings underscore the importance of understanding local manifestations of mental health syndromes when conducting mental health assessments and when planning interventions for HIV/AIDS-affected children and adolescents in diverse settings.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 401-412 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | AIDS Care - Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Apr 2011 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- children and adolescents
- HIV/AIDS
- mental health
- qualitative research
- Rwanda
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Health(social science)
- Social Psychology
Cite this
Understanding locally, culturally, and contextually relevant mental health problems among Rwandan children and adolescents affected by HIV/AIDS. / Betancourt, Theresa S.; Rubin-Smith, Julia E.; Beardslee, William R.; Stulac, Sara N.; Fayida, Ildephonse; Safren, Steven.
In: AIDS Care - Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV, Vol. 23, No. 4, 04.2011, p. 401-412.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Understanding locally, culturally, and contextually relevant mental health problems among Rwandan children and adolescents affected by HIV/AIDS
AU - Betancourt, Theresa S.
AU - Rubin-Smith, Julia E.
AU - Beardslee, William R.
AU - Stulac, Sara N.
AU - Fayida, Ildephonse
AU - Safren, Steven
PY - 2011/4
Y1 - 2011/4
N2 - In assessing the mental health of HIV/AIDS-affected children and adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa, researchers often employ mental health measures developed in other settings. However, measures derived from standard Western psychiatric criteria are frequently based on conceptual models of illness or terminology that may or may not be an appropriate for diverse populations. Understanding local perceptions of mental health problems can aid in the selection or creation of appropriate measures. This study used qualitative methodologies (Free Listing, Key Informant interviews, and Clinician Interviews) to understand local perceptions of mental health problems facing HIV/AIDS-affected youth in Rwinkwavu, Rwanda. Several syndrome terms were identified by participants: agahinda kenshi, kwiheba, guhangayika, ihahamuka, umushiha, and uburara. While these local syndromes share some similarities with Western mood, anxiety, and conduct disorders, they also contain important culture-specific features and gradations of severity. Our findings underscore the importance of understanding local manifestations of mental health syndromes when conducting mental health assessments and when planning interventions for HIV/AIDS-affected children and adolescents in diverse settings.
AB - In assessing the mental health of HIV/AIDS-affected children and adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa, researchers often employ mental health measures developed in other settings. However, measures derived from standard Western psychiatric criteria are frequently based on conceptual models of illness or terminology that may or may not be an appropriate for diverse populations. Understanding local perceptions of mental health problems can aid in the selection or creation of appropriate measures. This study used qualitative methodologies (Free Listing, Key Informant interviews, and Clinician Interviews) to understand local perceptions of mental health problems facing HIV/AIDS-affected youth in Rwinkwavu, Rwanda. Several syndrome terms were identified by participants: agahinda kenshi, kwiheba, guhangayika, ihahamuka, umushiha, and uburara. While these local syndromes share some similarities with Western mood, anxiety, and conduct disorders, they also contain important culture-specific features and gradations of severity. Our findings underscore the importance of understanding local manifestations of mental health syndromes when conducting mental health assessments and when planning interventions for HIV/AIDS-affected children and adolescents in diverse settings.
KW - children and adolescents
KW - HIV/AIDS
KW - mental health
KW - qualitative research
KW - Rwanda
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79952515945&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=79952515945&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/09540121.2010.516333
DO - 10.1080/09540121.2010.516333
M3 - Article
VL - 23
SP - 401
EP - 412
JO - AIDS Care - Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV
JF - AIDS Care - Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV
SN - 0954-0121
IS - 4
ER -