Depressive Symptoms and Occupational Role among Female Groups: A Research in a South-East African Village

Abstract

Background: Although the relationships between social and cultural factors and African psychopathology have largely been considered from a theoretical point of view, empirical studies are still few and far between. This paper reports the results of a mental health survey conducted in the village of Namwera (Malawi, South-East Africa) to explore the link between social conditions, in particular occupational role, and psychopathology. Methods: A modified version of the Self-Reporting Questionnaire translated into Chichewa language was administered to 161 women (23 dressmakers, 46 nurses, 92 housewives). A Socio-Anamnestic Questionnaire and a Clinical Interview were also applied. Results: Dressmakers and housewives appeared more at risk of psychological suffering than nurses. Psychosomatic symptoms are more frequent among housewives, while dressmakers show more typical depressive symptoms, including suicidal thoughts and self-blame. Conclusions: Data confirm that also in an African context, some social factors are related to depression among female groups.

Food Insecurity and Common Mental Disorders among Ethiopian Youth: Structural Equation Modeling

“…A similar finding was observed from studies done in Goa, India [84], Addis Ababa [5] and Malawi [85], showing that those living in urban areas had a higher prevalence of CMDs compared to those living in rural areas. This might be due to rapid changes in social structures, including a highly pressurized living style due to economic vulnerability, job satisfaction, social circumstances and type of employment that could influence psychological conditions.…”

Occupational exposure to home risk factors: analysis of physical and mental health condition of a group of Sicilian housewives

“…For example, a fairly unique case of a twenty-five year old woman who had a very high level of anxiety and depression with respective scores of 18 and 16. Other studies conducted in other countries confirm the results we have obtained (14,15). @ C I C E d i z i o n i I n t e r n a z i o n a l i…”

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“…Several interesting lines of psychosocial research have in fact hypothesised that the cultural transmission tends to be perpetuated when the particular cultural institutions (in this case the social role) are perceived by the individual (and by the other members of the group) as an integral part of the evolving self, but which at the same time, are able to meet new needs and requirements [81]. The latter hypothesis was elicitated to explain the absence of conflicts and the lower risk for depression in a sample of women employed as nurses (a innovative role but that preserve traditional roles) in an African society in rapid change [82]. …”