The Experience of Depression in the Tokelauan Culture in Two North Island Communities

Tokelauan;depression;mental health;general practice

Loan, Iain Stuart ; Cunningham, Wayne ; Jaye, Chrystal

University of Otago

关键词: Tokelauan;    depression;    mental health;    general practice;   

Others  :  https://ourarchive.otago.ac.nz/bitstream/10523/5564/1/LoanIainS2015MGP.pdf

美国|英语

来源: Otago University Research Archive

【 摘 要 】

Background and Aims: The Tokelauan language lacks a word that corresponds to the western term ;;depression’. Furthermore, there is no research on the experience of depression in Tokelauans, and yet doctors continue to apply a western biomedical model of depression to Tokelauan patients and those from other Pacific cultures.This research aims to describe the experience of depression in Tokelauans and provide insight into its management. Better awareness of the symptoms and signs of depression as experienced by Pacific Islanders will enhance diagnosis and treatment of the illness by general practitioners.Method: Following extensive consultation with the Tokelauan community in Taupo, and using purposive stratified sampling, ten respondents contributed to this study. Semi-structured in depth interviews were performed and recorded verbatim. The transcripts of the interviews were thematically analysed using an immersion crystallisation technique, with further analysis to detect sub themes.Results: There is no specific word for depression in the Tokelauan language but an illness involving extraordinary sadness does exist. Ordinary sadness is regarded as just ;;part of life’ but extraordinary sadness can be classified as ;;unwellness” or ;;a burden