Psychiatric disorder in Xhosa-speaking men following circumcision

This interdisciplinary study, within the fields of anthropology and medicine, describes my qualitative research as an anthropologist into the mental illness histories of five young Xhosa-speaking men who, within a year of their circumcision, suffered psychotic breakdowns. The study took place in Valkenberg Hospital for the Mentally Unwell and the surrounding disadvantaged, largely Xhosa-speaking communities in Cape Town, South Africa. Numerous admissions were screened over a two-year period, but only these five men met the study criteria. Their case studies describe how they perceived their circumcision and the stresses that may have contributed to the onset of their psychotic illness.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health

Year dc:date.issued

2008

Author dc:creator

• Vivian, Lauraine Margaret Helen

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Robertson, Brian
• Hirst, Manton

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/11286

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/11286