‘My husband is possessed by a jinn’: a case study in transcultural mental health

Abstract

Objectives The objective of this study was to discuss jinn possession in Muslim culture, and the importance of understanding cultural differences in mental health. Conclusion It is important to understand cultural and religious differences in psychiatry, as it affects the way patients perceive and attribute symptoms. It also helps clinicians to reach an accurate diagnosis and provide appropriate treatments. Beliefs about jinn possession should not automatically be regarded as delusional. In alleged cases of jinn possession, clinicians should consider all the biopsychosocial, cultural and spiritual factors that are unique to the individual. Further research is still needed in this area.

Clinical Interpretation of Jinn Possession and Cultural Formulation of Mental Illness

“…Multiple research studies suggest that management of the clinical presentation of jinn possession should be culturally appropriate and support a culturally integrated approach and increase staff education about cultural issues (Cheng, 2017; Lim, Hoek & Blom, 2015; Khan & Sanober, 2016). DeHoff (2014) suggests that mental health professionals should explore these issues with the client by exploring: (1) the need to define mystical; (2) identifying experiences interpreted as mystical religious; (3) identifying experiences interpreted as psychotic; and (4) discovering methods and sources used to interpret reported experiences.…”

“…Cheng (2017) notes, “It is important to understand different cultural and religious beliefs, as they can affect the way patients perceive mental illness and the treatment provided by clinicians” (p. 471). Cheng (2017) further notes that beliefs about jinn possession should not be simply interpreted as “a delusion or part of psychotic illness” (p. 473) without considering biopsychosocial, cultural, and spiritual factors. However, culture is distinct from religion, and cultural beliefs and explanations can differ from the rationale of religious interpretations.…”

“…Such an approach has faced criticism as it failed to understand cultural and religious differences in psychiatry, which affected the treatment of patients. Furthermore, it altered “the way patients perceive and attribute symptoms” (Cheng, 2017, p. 471). Therefore, it is challenging to develop an appropriate treatment model that meets the needs of the client and the requirements of health care providers, particularly psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists, mental health nurses, and social workers.…”

“…Therefore, it is challenging to develop an appropriate treatment model that meets the needs of the client and the requirements of health care providers, particularly psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists, mental health nurses, and social workers. In this respect, there is a call within the mental health field that beliefs about jinn possession “should not automatically be regarded as delusional” (Cheng, 2017, p. 471). Instead, clinicians should consider “all the biopsychosocial, cultural and spiritual factors that are unique to the individual” (Cheng, 2017, p. 471).…”

“…In this respect, there is a call within the mental health field that beliefs about jinn possession “should not automatically be regarded as delusional” (Cheng, 2017, p. 471). Instead, clinicians should consider “all the biopsychosocial, cultural and spiritual factors that are unique to the individual” (Cheng, 2017, p. 471). In this respect, further research is still needed to better understand this phenomenon and develop a new treatment approach.…”