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Writer's pictureM Reza Rifki

The Cultural Contention: Challenging Universal Mental Health Diagnoses

Within academic research and clinical practice, diagnostic manuals exist that provide criteria for diagnosing ‘mental disorders’ that are proposed to occur universally across cultures. However, there is contention about the appropriateness of applying the language of ‘mental health/illness/disorders’ across diverse cultural settings where aberrant psychological, emotional and/or behavioural states may not be conceptualized as being associated with either health or illness. (White , Read, & Jain , 2017).

This statement highlights a debate surrounding the use of diagnostic manuals in the field of mental health. These manuals, such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), provide criteria for diagnosing various mental disorders. They are used in academic research and clinical practice to classify and understand psychological, emotional, and behavioral abnormalities.


The contention arises when applying these diagnostic criteria universally across different cultural settings. The concern in the language and concepts used in these manuals, such as "mental health," "mental illness," and "mental disorders," may not align with diverse cultural perspectives on psychological experiences.


In some cultures, aberrant psychological, emotional, and behavioral states may not be viewed as being associated with either health or illness as in Western societies. Different cultures may have their distinct frameworks for understanding and explaining psychological distress. Therefore, applying Western diagnostic criteria without considering cultural context may not accurately capture the experiences and beliefs of individuals in non-Western cultures.


This debate raises questions about the cultural validity and appropriateness of using universal diagnostic categories and labels. It suggests that mental health professionals and researchers should be mindful of the cultural diversity in conceptualizing and addressing psychological well-being and consider alternative frameworks to diverse cultural perspectives.



References

White , R., Read, U., & Jain , S. (2017). Situating Global Mental Health: Sociocultural Perspectives. Researchgate.net. Diambil kembali dari https://www.researchgate.net/.





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