Why local concepts matter: Using cultural expressions of distress to explore the construct validity of research instruments to measure mental health problems among Congolese women in Nyarugusu refugee camp.
Transcult Psychiatry
; 60(3): 496-507, 2023 06.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36114647
ABSTRACT
There is considerable variation in the presentation of mental health problems across cultural contexts. Most screening and assessment tools do not capture local idioms and culturally specific presentations of distress, thus introducing measurement error and overlooking meaningful variation in mental health. Before applying screening and assessment tools in a particular context, a qualitative exploration of locally salient idioms and expression of distress can help assess whether existing measures are appropriate in a specific context as well as what adaptations may improve their construct validity. We aimed to employ a mixed-methods approach to describe and measure cultural concepts of distress among female Congolese survivors of intimate partner violence in Nyarugusu refugee camp, Tanzania. This sequential study used data from 55 qualitative (free-listing and in-depth) interviews followed by 311 quantitative interviews that included assessments of symptoms of common mental disorder to explore whether the symptom constellations were consistent across these methodologies. Results from thematic analysis of qualitative data and exploratory factor analysis of quantitative data converged on three concepts of distress huzuni (deep sadness), msongo wa mawazo (stress, too many thoughts), and hofu (fear). The psychometric properties of these constructs were comparable to those of the three original common mental disorders measured by the quantitative symptom assessment tools-anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder-adding weight to the appropriateness of using these tools in this specific setting. This mixed-methods approach presents an innovative additional method for assessing the local "cultural fit" of globally used tools for measuring mental health in cross-cultural research.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Refugiados
/
Transtornos de Estresse Pós-Traumáticos
Tipo de estudo:
Qualitative_research
Limite:
Female
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Transcult Psychiatry
Assunto da revista:
PSIQUIATRIA
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos