Psychological dependency among students in a "Cross-Roads" culture

Sociological and anthropological studies describe cultural pluralism and social disintegration as pathological burdens of the "cross-roads" experience. A retrospective analysis of 169 undergraduate students seen over three and a half years was carried out. Correlation and cross-tabulation studies of different life stresses and demographic variables were performed, comparing dependent and non-dependent students. These linked dependency with male-female problems, and being female. Passive dependent personality traits correlate with psychaitric morbidity (i.e. actual psychoneurosis). Unsatisfactory parental relationships and absence of either parent were significantly greater in dependent and other patients than in a general sixty per cent (60 percent) sample of 1976 graduating students. It is suggested that in the West Indian family poor parental bonding, as well as the inadequate identification of males with consistent father or husband role, lead to oedipal conflicts and stress-producing dependency in the offspring of both sexes. But the social expectations of passivity on the part of women, and the demands on them to be the greatest functioning family member lead to an introjection (rather than ventilation or projection) of frustrated feelings on their part, as well as to greater expression of conflicts in help-seeking behaviour (AU)

Psychiatric morbidity and related factors in West Indian students

An analysis of certain clinical and demographic variables was performed on patients seen in each of four years by psychiatrists at the University of the West Indies Mona Campus Health Services. A serial sample of 169 patients was also surveyed. A 50 percent sample of final year students was used as a control group. Personality disorders and related neurotic syndromes were commonest. Alcohol and drug addiction were absent. Contributory life stresses included male-female relationships, relating to parents, general relationships, and academic and identity problems. More of the patient sample had frequent previous emotional complaints than the control group. Passive dependency was the single greatest clinical problem and correlated highly with male-female life stresses. The common nature of dependency and its predisposition to decompensation amidst male-female difficulties are striking and could reflect the pressure of the West Indian family structure. The pattern seen reflect academic, developmental and cultural factors which are of importance in treatment and prevention (AU)

Psychological dependency among students in a "cross-roads" culture - abstract

Sociological and anthropological studies describe cultural pluralism and social disintegration a pathological burdens of the "cross-roads" experience of the West Indies. A retrospective analysis of 169 undergraduate students seen over three and a half years was carried out. Correlation and cross tabulation studies of different life stresses and emographic variables were performed comparing dependent and non-dependent students. These linked dependency with male-female problems, being female and with being non-graduating. Passive dependent personality traits predisposed to psychiatric morbidity, (i.e. actual psychoneurosis). Unsatisfactory parental relationships were significantly greater in dependent and other patients than in a general sixty per cent (60 percent) sample of students who graduated in 1976. It is suggested that in the West Indian family poor parental binding, as well as the inadequate identification of males with a consistent father or husband role, lead to oedipal conflicts and stress-producing dependency in the offspring of both sexes. But the social expectations of passivity on the part of women, and the demands on them to be the greatest functioning family member, leads to an introjection (rather than ventilation or projection) of frustrated feelings on their part, as well as to greater articulation of conflicts in help seeking behaviour. These findings can inform further enquiry in transcultural psychiatry and the direction needed for student health services to be of greater help to the young adult in a troubled, changing culture, seeking a future (AU)

Mental health care for university students with special reference to the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies

The literature on university sociology, adolescent psychology, student problems and student health care has been reviewed. Based upon this review, the personal experience of the writer, the history of the development of the Mona campus and recent evidence of social disintegration, conflict and uncertainty, a rationale for the establishment and methods of operation of a University Mental Health Programme has been outlined. The methodology and framework for present and future action is based upon the social interactional model (which has involved the principles of community psychiatry), the psychological model, as well as the counselling model. During the first eighteen months of the operation of the service