South African isiXhosa traditional healer self-identification, training, practices, and their perceptions of collaboration with medical providers: an exploratory study. van der Watt, A., S., J., Das-Brailsford, P., Mbanga, I., & Seedat, S. South African Journal of Psychology, 50(1):115-127, 2020.
abstract   bibtex   
In South Africa, traditional healers treat a wide range of health-related problems and culture-bound syndromes considered non-responsive to Western medicine. Given the widespread use of traditional medicine in treating common mental disorders, especially among low-income groups, it is important to explore the self-identification, training, and practices of traditional healers. We also explored traditional healers’ perceptions of collaboration with Western health care institutions (hospitals, clinics). IsiXhosa traditional healers (n = 50, female = 40, mean age = 52.7 years, SD = 14.7 years) were interviewed using both a structured and a semi-structured interview schedule, including the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Data were analysed using SPSS version 24 and Statistica. Interview notes were typed soon after each interview and thematically analysed. Participants described similar experiences regarding the three steps of becoming a traditional healer and treating clients with mental illness using herbs (90%), candles (82%), and prayer (78%). Self-identification as a spiritualist or sangoma, and type of church attended (African Initiated vs. Mainline Christian) were both significantly associated with traditional healers’ mode of diagnosis and/or treatment. Participants were open about collaborating with Western health care institutions around treating mental health issues. However, this was hampered by mistrust, as evidenced in the reluctance of a few participants to share detailed information about treatment methods.
@article{
 title = {South African isiXhosa traditional healer self-identification, training, practices, and their perceptions of collaboration with medical providers: an exploratory study},
 type = {article},
 year = {2020},
 identifiers = {[object Object]},
 keywords = {Faith healing,isiXhosa,mental health,traditional healers},
 pages = {115-127},
 volume = {50},
 id = {d6cbbf3e-9ef0-346b-9f35-81c5ffa13855},
 created = {2020-09-17T09:27:59.476Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {20f87055-ac78-3c65-9cf5-216a3558d16a},
 group_id = {14ca8526-77d5-34fd-89de-e48cae5e6ee2},
 last_modified = {2020-09-17T09:27:59.476Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {false},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {In South Africa, traditional healers treat a wide range of health-related problems and culture-bound syndromes considered non-responsive to Western medicine. Given the widespread use of traditional medicine in treating common mental disorders, especially among low-income groups, it is important to explore the self-identification, training, and practices of traditional healers. We also explored traditional healers’ perceptions of collaboration with Western health care institutions (hospitals, clinics). IsiXhosa traditional healers (n = 50, female = 40, mean age = 52.7 years, SD = 14.7 years) were interviewed using both a structured and a semi-structured interview schedule, including the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Data were analysed using SPSS version 24 and Statistica. Interview notes were typed soon after each interview and thematically analysed. Participants described similar experiences regarding the three steps of becoming a traditional healer and treating clients with mental illness using herbs (90%), candles (82%), and prayer (78%). Self-identification as a spiritualist or sangoma, and type of church attended (African Initiated vs. Mainline Christian) were both significantly associated with traditional healers’ mode of diagnosis and/or treatment. Participants were open about collaborating with Western health care institutions around treating mental health issues. However, this was hampered by mistrust, as evidenced in the reluctance of a few participants to share detailed information about treatment methods.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {van der Watt, Alberta Susanna Johanna and Das-Brailsford, Priscilla and Mbanga, Irene and Seedat, Soraya},
 journal = {South African Journal of Psychology},
 number = {1}
}

Downloads: 0