Mental Health, Poverty, and Agency in Managua, Nicaragua: A Gendered Perspective

摘要

The Global Burden of Disease Unit estimates that mental and neurological disorders will soon cause almost 15% of people's disabilities worldwide and that women are twice as likely to experience major depression, and have a higher prevalence of other common mental disorders (CMD) (World Health Organization, 200655. World Health Organization. (2006). Gender and women's mental health. http://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/genderwomen/en/print.html (Accessed: 17 June 2006). View all references). The high correlation between CMD and poverty predicts higher rates of CMD in developing nations (Chant, 200314. Chant, S. 2003. Gender in Latin America, New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press. View all references). Utilizing feminist theory and an adapted Beiser (200610. Beiser, M. 2006. Longitudinal research to promote effective refugee resettlement. Transcultural Psychiatry, 43: 56-71. [CrossRef], [PubMed]View all references) model, this study examines gender role, social support, and self-esteem as predictors of mental health among 227 adults in Managua, Nicaragua. Respondents exhibited high levels of CMD, but women's scores were significantly higher. Self-esteem was negatively correlated to CMD and the only significant predictor of CMD. The findings highlight the substantive agency of a??oppresseda?? women even when they lack formal power within traditional power structures. The importance of culturally and contextually appropriate measurement and theory are discussed.View full textDownload full textKEYWORDSNicaragua, women, mental health, feminism, agency, common mental disorder, gender, gender roles, depression, Central AmericaRelated var addthis_config = { ui_cobrand: "Taylor & Francis Online", services_compact: "citeulike,netvibes,twitter,technorati,delicious,linkedin,facebook,stumbleupon,digg,google,more", pubid: "ra-4dff56cd6bb1830b" }; Add to shortlist Link Permalink http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15332980903217883