PREVALENCE OF PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS AMONG FOLLOWERS VISITING FAITH HEALERS
Journal Title: Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences - Year 2019, Vol 8, Issue 2
Abstract
BACKGROUND Faith healers play an important role in treating psychosomatic problems of patients apart from western medicine and alternative medicine in India. Although their role is not studied well in modern literature and their contribution is seen lightly in the light of evidence-based medicine, this does not deter patients from seeking treatment from faith healers. The present study is conceived to know the psychosocial characteristics of faith healers and followers. MATERIALS AND METHODS The observational study included 10 faith healers and their 100 followers. Both the groups were interviewed. They were assured of their confidentiality and informed written consent was taken. Demographic data was collected using a structured performa and 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire was used to know personality traits of followers as well as faith healers. RESULTS Female followers comprised 54% of study sample. Majority of the subjects fell in the age group of 20-40 years irrespective of their sex. Mean age of study participants was 35.91 years. Two thirds of sample were married male/female. 53% of the total subjects were Hindu and 44% of subjects were housewives belonging to low socio-economic status and low literacy. Sadness and unresponsiveness were the most common reasons of visit by the attendees. Personality profile of the followers reflects reserve and detached tendency with low emotional stability and low frustration tolerance. They are self-indulgent, conservative and follow traditional ideas. On the other hand, the faith healers were observed to have tough mindedness with realistic tendencies, conservative nature and tolerance of traditional ideas. The sample size estimation was also done at conveniences. CONCLUSION The role of social support system, method of traditional healing and the underlying implications for service delivery are important in the near future. The need of the followers should be understood by modern treatment strategies. However, further extensive studies may be required to establish the theoretical value of findings of this study
Authors and Affiliations
Pankaj Kumar, Ranjive Mahajan, Navkiran S. Mahajan, Rupesh Chaudhary, Mishra B. P.
Keywords
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- EP ID EP553075
- DOI 10.14260/jemds/2019/28
- Views 70
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