Personality and Mental Health in Namibia

The studies of this project provide a strong test of the universality of current models of personality traits and psychological disorders and lay groundwork for locally informed models for use in Namibia.

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Current knowledge in psychology is based disproportionately on evidence from western, industrialized samples. The studies of this project will elucidate personality concepts and structure among Khoekhoe-speakers; will test the patterns and frequencies of psychological disorder symptoms among three language groups; and will explore views of mental health and illness across Namibia. This will provide a strong test of the universality of current models and will lay groundwork for locally informed models of personality, mental health, mental illness, and treatment in Namibia.

A mix of methods and of emic (local, bottom-up) and etic (imported, generalizable) elements will be used in a series of studies to highlight local experience while facilitating comparison with existing models. A lexical study of personality, including participants from multiple regions and ethnic groups, was conducted in 2018. This data allow us to identify locally relevant personality concepts and structure. Follow-up interviews explored the meaning of results, for example, how and when key terms are applied, what traits are more or less valued locally, and the utility of concepts commonly used in Western settings that do not occur among frequently used terms in local languages. In 2019 and 2020, another series of studies will explore patterns and frequencies of psychological disorder symptoms among three language groups , and how these relate to personality traits, and to physical health and other aspects of well being. Again follow up interviews will explore the local meaning of the quantative results, how psychological disorders and their treatment are understood and viewed locally.

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