DOI: 10.5176/2315-4330_WNC18.185
Authors: Rick Zoucha
Abstract:
Statement of the Research Questions: The research questions identified for this study are 1) What are the cultural perceptions and meaning of mental health of residents of an urban Nicaraguan Community? 2) What are the cultural perceptions and meaning of mental illness of residents of an urban Nicaraguan Community? 3) What is the culturally congruent process of promoting mental health and caring for mental illness in this Community? Purpose and significance of the study: In Nicaragua, there are very few economic resources for health care in general and even less for the treatment of mental illness and promotion of mental health. The purpose of this ethnography is to understand the meaning of Mental health and illness for Nicaraguans living in an urban barrio. Research design and analysis: A qualitative Ethnography method was used for this study. Ethnography is a method used to discover and understand phenomena associated with a particular cultural group. Leininger’s Four Phases of qualitative data analysis were used for this study. Informants: A voluntary convenience sample of self-identified Nicaraguan adults: 27 women and 9 men participated in this study. Findings: Data analysis resulted in 10 categories, 5 patterns and 4 major themes. Conclusions: Depression, anxiety, violence, drug abuse are not viewed as a mental illness. Understanding mental health and illness from the unique cultural perspectives of this community is essential in promoting their mental health needs.
Keywords: Culture, mental health, mental illness, Nicaraguan
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