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Mental Illness Beliefs in Malaysia: Ethnic and Intergenerational Comparisons

Author

Listed:
  • Jeanne L. Edman

    (Dept. of Social Sciences, University of Hawaii-KCC, 4303 Diamond Head Rd., Honolulu, HI, 96816 USA)

  • Teh Yik Koon

    (School of Sosial Development, 06010 UUM, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Sintok, Kedah Darul Aman, Malaysia)

Abstract

Two groups of college students in Malaysia, ethnic Malay and ethnic Chinese, completed a mental illness attribution and help seeking questionnaire, and these responses were also compared with the responses of their mothers. As expected, ethnic Malays rated religious items, such as God and prayer, higher than the Chinese. However, both groups rated the social and psychological causes higher than religious, supernatural or physical causes. Contrary to our predictions, there were no intergenerational differences among either ethnic group. Medical pluralism was demonstrated, as a variety of apparently contradictory help seeking behaviors received quite high ratings including doctor/pharmacy, prayer, herbal medicine and traditional healers.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeanne L. Edman & Teh Yik Koon, 2000. "Mental Illness Beliefs in Malaysia: Ethnic and Intergenerational Comparisons," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 46(2), pages 101-109, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:46:y:2000:i:2:p:101-109
    DOI: 10.1177/002076400004600203
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Elizabeth Elliot & Marian Pitts & John Mcmaster, 1992. "Nurses' Views of Parasuicide in a Developing Country," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 38(4), pages 273-279, December.
    2. Tapas Banerjee & G. Banerjee, 1995. "Determinants of Help-Seeking Behaviour in Cases of Epilepsy Attending a Teaching Hospital in India: an Indigenous Explanatory Model," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 41(3), pages 217-230, September.
    3. Massard, Josiane, 1988. "Doctoring by go-between: Aspects of health care for Malay children," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 27(8), pages 789-797, January.
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