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'Possession' in psychiatric patients in Britain
The British Journal of Medical Psychology
|December 1, 1980
Summary
This study reviews explanations for possession states, finding that while culture influences presentation, individual psychological factors are the primary cause of disturbance in patients experiencing these beliefs.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Cultural Anthropology
- Psychology
Background:
- Possession states are a recognized phenomenon across cultures, often attributed to supernatural forces.
- Despite evolving explanations, patients continue to present with beliefs of being possessed.
- Understanding the underlying etiology of these states is crucial for effective clinical intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing explanations for possession states.
- To describe a cohort of 16 patients experiencing possession beliefs.
- To analyze the interplay of individual and cultural factors in these cases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of various explanatory models for possession states.
- Clinical case description of 16 patients presenting with possession beliefs.
- Comparative analysis of individual psychological factors versus cultural influences.
Main Results:
- A group of 16 patients exhibiting possession beliefs were studied.
- Cultural factors were found to influence the presentation (pathoplastic effect) of the condition.
- Individual psychological disturbances were identified as the primary etiological factor.
Conclusions:
- Possession states, while culturally modulated, are rooted in individual psychological disturbances.
- Interventions should prioritize addressing individual psychological factors for patients experiencing possession beliefs.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the complex interplay between culture and individual psychology in these phenomena.