Anxiety and depression in a village in Lesotho, Africa: a comparison with the United States

Article Abstract:

One common belief regarding the cause of depression is that symptoms are created by the difficulties of modern life. The increased interest in mental health in developing countries has challenged this notion on the basis of evidence that the experience of mental illness may be similar in developing and industrialized countries, or that any variance is not completely accounted for by such factors. There have been only two studies in the past to compare prevalence of mental illness in developing and industrialized countries directly. To complete a comparison between Lesotho, which is a small developing country in Africa, and the United States, an industrialized nation, data were collected from 356 subjects in Lesotho and compared with data from a study using identical measures in the United States. Subjects were given a standardized diagnostic interview and completed two additional self-report measures regarding psychiatric symptoms and anxiety. Additionally, demographic data were collected. Noting the difficulty in controlling all possible cross-cultural variables, the fact that the scales had been validated in the United States, and the difficulties in obtaining like meanings for various words, it was found that the prevalence of major depression, panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder was higher in Lesotho than in the United States. These findings are in accordance with some other studies, and they are in conflict with others. The majority of those in Lesotho with panic attacks had sought treatment and had done so with western-like practitioners. The majority of those with anxiety or depression sought treatment as well, but often with traditional African healers or those not trained in western medicine. The relative contributions of genetics, biological variables, and psychosocial factors in mental illness are not clear from this study, but it does not appear that the forms of mental illness studied are simply a product of an industrialized society. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Social aspects, Models, Affective disorders, Mood disorders, Cross-cultural studies, Cross cultural studies, Southern Africa, Population research, Africa, Southern

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Negative modes of relating, marital quality and depression

Article Abstract:

To study the interrelationships between depression, marital quality and modes of relating, 86 couples from a housing complex were compared with 63 couples with serious marital difficulties (assessed by a marital guidance clinic). Clinical interviews, a depression scale and a present state exam revealed that 46 wives from the housing complex suffered from ongoing depression. Clinic couples were not evaluated for depression, but all couples in the study underwent semistructured interviews which assessed quality of marriage and negative ways of relating. Negative relating was broken into three factors: lack of affection, dominance and dependence. Each partner rated the marriage and their own and their spouse's ability to relate. Maladjustment scores were tallied, then couples were divided into three marital quality groups: worst (25 couples), best (24 couples), and average (37 couples). Self- and husband-ratings of all three negative ways of relating by depressed women were significantly higher than those of nondepressed women and their husbands. Wives in the worst quality group tended to be more dominant than other wives. Couples in which a husband or wife was rated as being highly affectionate were more predominant in the best group. No direct causal link was found between depression and quality of marriage. Results indicate that the relationship between depression and poor marital quality is linked to a third cofactor related to negative modes of relating. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Psychological aspects, Risk factors, Depression, Mental, Depression (Mood disorder), Marriage

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