Use of Indigenous African Healing Practices as a Mental Health Intervention

Abstract

The current study used a qualitative design informed by indigenous research methodologies to describe how indigenous African healers and their clients address Western-defined mental health problems. Healers for this study included Orìsà priests initiated within the Yorùbá-based system of Ifá. Two research questions guided this inquiry: (1) How do Orìsà priests and their clients conceptualize issues and concerns associated with mental health problems in Western psychology (2) What methods and techniques do Orìsà priests and their clients use to address issues and concerns associated with mental health problems in Western psychology? Data were collected during semistructured individual interviews with Orìsà priests in a three-phase model. The study also included focus groups with informants who sought the services of Orìsà priests. A combined total of 18 interviews were conducted that included 22 separate respondents residing within the southeastern United States. The following steps were employed to enhance methodological rigor: (1) bracketing of assumptions by the research team members, (2) use of a reflexive journal, (3) member checking, and (4) an audit trail. Data analysis consisted of a recursive process divided into multiple steps including codebook development, code application, and data analysis. Three major themes emerged from the data: (1) Conceptualization of Mental Health Problems as Spiritual Matters, (2) Origins of Mental Health Problems, and (3) Addressing Mental Health Problems. Results of this study indicate that respondents primarily conceptualize mental health problems as spiritual matters and seek to address these concerns with an Orìsà priest first. Practice and research implications for psychologists are discussed.

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