Cultural Perspectives on Mental Illness: An Ethnopsychiatric Analysis in Traditional African Societies

Background: The Western view of mental illness has traditionally been universalistic, neglecting cultural influences. Ethnopsychiatry challenges this, emphasizing how mental illness is shaped by social and cultural contexts. Methods: This study examines representations of psychological suffering in traditional African societies, focusing on collectivity, spirituality, and family dynamics. Based on interviews with African cultural mediators, it explores local interpretations and management of mental illness, analysed through thematic analysis to compare with Western paradigms. Results: The study found that interpretation of mental illness is often seen as having spiritual or social origins rather than a medical basis, diverging from the Western medical approach. Key themes include the family's role as a support system and the view of illness as punishment or spiritual imbalance, shaping healing practices through traditional healers and social reintegration. Conclusions: Integrating ethnopsychiatry into therapy strengthens patient-provider relationships, reduces dropouts, and improves treatment outcomes.