Citation

Singer K. Soc. Sci. Med. 1975; 9(6): 289-301.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1975, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0037-7856(75)90001-3

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper reviews the literature on cultural variations in prevalence and manifestations of depressive disorders and the cultural elements and psychopathological hypotheses proposed to account for such variations. It evaluates conceptual issues and methodological problems of research in this field and indicates some requirements for future research. It concludes that there is insufficient evidence to support a prevalent view that depressive illness in primitive and certain other non-Western cultures has outstanding deviant features.