Thesis (M.A. (Psychology)) --University of Limpopo, 2015 / The role of indigenous healers in managing various conditions of ill-health has been studied and debated. Studies have revealed that the majority of the population in South Africa use traditional health care to treat various mental conditions. Studies have also revealed that traditional medicine plays an important role in primary health care in many countries. The aim of the study was to explore Swati traditional healers’ conceptualization of the causes and treatment methods of mental illness in Kanyamazane Township in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. A phenomenological research method was used in the present study. Ten (10) traditional healers, six (6) female and four (4) male, who were selected through purposive sampling method participated in the study. Semi structured personal interviews were conducted with the traditional healers. The interviews were conducted in siSwati and later translated to English. The main themes that emerged were grouped under the following 3 main topics: conceptualisation and types of mental illness; causes of mental illness; and, treatment of mental illness. The traditional healers identified and described a number of mental illnesses that could be identified by their behavioural symptoms and thought disruptions. These include: depressive conditions, addictions, psychotic illnesses, adjustment disorders and genetic mental illnesses. Mental illness was perceived to be caused by a number of factors that, among others, include the following: supernatural powers such as witchcraft, spirit possession, intrusion of objects, evil mechanisation, improper use of traditional medicine, disregarding ancestors and cultural customs as well invitation by ancestors to become a traditional healer, substance abuse, genetic predisposition, life stressors, social conditions, and injuries to the head, Cleansing the patient of evil spirits through washing, steaming, induced vomiting, casting out evil and herbal medication were some of the methods that were found to be commonly used to treat mental illness. The study found that the theory underlying traditional healing is essentially similar, and that traditional healers utilise a culturally coherent and holistic approach in dealing with health and illness.

Thesis ( M.A. (Psychology)) --University of Limpopo, 2015 / The role of indigenous healers in managing various conditions of ill-health has been studied and debated. Studies have revealed that the majority of the population in South Africa use traditional health care to treat various mental conditions. Studies have also revealed that traditional medicine plays an important role in primary health care in many countries. The aim of the study was to explore Swati traditional healers’ conceptualization of the causes and treatment methods of mental illness in Kanyamazane Township in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. A phenomenological research method was used in the present study. Ten (10) traditional healers, six (6) female and four (4) male, who were selected through purposive sampling method participated in the study. Semi structured personal interviews were conducted with the traditional healers. The interviews were conducted in siSwati and later translated to English. The main themes that emerged were grouped under the following 3 main topics: conceptualisation and types of mental illness; causes of mental illness; and, treatment of mental illness. The traditional healers identified and described a number of mental illnesses that could be identified by their behavioural symptoms and thought disruptions. These include: depressive conditions, addictions, psychotic illnesses, adjustment disorders and genetic mental illnesses. Mental illness was perceived to be caused by a number of factors that, among others, include the following: supernatural powers such as witchcraft, spirit possession, intrusion of objects, evil mechanisation, improper use of traditional medicine, disregarding ancestors and cultural customs as well invitation by ancestors to become a traditional healer, substance abuse, genetic predisposition, life stressors, social conditions, and injuries to the head, Cleansing the patient of evil spirits through washing, steaming, induced vomiting, casting out evil and herbal medication were some of the methods that were found to be commonly used to treat mental illness. The study found that the theory underlying traditional healing is essentially similar, and that traditional healers utilise a culturally coherent and holistic approach in dealing with health and illness.

No description available.

Thesis (M Med.(Family Medicine & PHC))-- University of Limpopo, 2009. / A study on reasons why hypertensive patients seen at Natalspruit Hospital consult traditional healers whilst taking treatment from the hospital. Aim: To understand reasons given by patients receiving treatment for hypertension at Natalspruit Hospital for concurrently using traditional medicine. Design: Explorative descriptive qualitative study. Setting: Natalspruit Hospital, Gauteng – South Africa. Study population: All patients attending the researcher‟s practice suffering from hypertension and also consulted traditional healers. Results: The results of this study originated from the data collected from different interviews and their interpretations by the researcher. The respondents answered freely to the research question during a face to face conversation which was recorded with the purpose of exploring the topic in details. A certain number of information was obtained on why hypertensive patients despite their treatment from the researcher‟s practice were seeking help from the traditional healers. Number of answers derived from all respondents on the reasons why they combine the two types of medicine for their hypertension. This study focused on the ways the respondents felt about the service from the hospital/clinic, from the traditional healers and mainly on the reasons given by them when seeking help from traditional healers. Nine respondents were our group which was interviewed. The group consisted primarily of females than males, most of them were unemployed. Recommendations: Based on the results found, recommendations are that traditional medicine should be encouraged, especially in rural areas as it contributes substantially to primary health care. The government should primarily be using its resources in encouraging traditional healers to become a part of the health care delivery system through workshops involving both health professionals and traditional healers, training of modern doctors in the importance of cultural care and positive attitude towards the traditional healers. The government should consider integrating traditional medicine into the formal health system of the state. There is need to be education of patients on side-effects of anti-hypertensives at the time of dispensing, for instance ACE Inhibitors and the cough, to prevent patients seeking solutions for themselves, including taking traditional medication; education of staff in hospitals/clinics on care of patients to improve their attitudes. There is need for principles of Family Medicine to be taught and implemented in all levels of care. There is need for accessibility of modern medicine in remote areas where hospital facilities should be closer to all. A pilot referral system should be introduced and evaluated. If successful, a full-scale system should be introduced. This will ensure that the traditional healer feels both involved and committed. Traditional healers should come out into the open and be more assertive so that their work becomes transparent and this could further enhance their public image.

Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2005. / Full text also available online. Scroll down to electronic link.

Thesis (M A(Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references. Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2005. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 276-289).

M.A. / The general aim of this study was to explore the literature on transpersonal correlates in traditional African healing. The main aim was to create an understanding of transpersonal experiences from the stance of Transpersonal psychology and incorporate it to what is known with regard to illnesses and diseases in African belief systems. The existing literature indicates that there are differences and similarities between traditional African healing systems and Western modes of healing. Despite their differences, however it seems possible that they could operate in a complementary manner within the broader health care system.

Dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Education in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Zululand, 2001. / This research study examined the prospect and scope for traditional medicine in the South African education support services. The first aim was to assess teachers' perceptions of the need for traditional medicine practices in the school. The second aim was to investigate the problems experienced by learners which require traditional medicine practices as solutions within the school. The third aim was to determine the procedures that can be followed in order to provide traditional medicine to meet the learners' needs. The fourth aim was to provide certain guidelines regarding traditional medicine intervention within a school. The fifth aim was to find whether teachers' perceptions of traditional medicine in schools are influenced by the teachers' characteristics. Lastly, to find out whether there is any agreement among ranks assigned by the respondents to: ♦ job opportunities amenable to creation through the use of traditional medicine. ♦ afflictions amenable to treatment by traditional medicine. A Likert scale was constructed to measure the areas indicated by the aforementioned aims of study. The quantifying instrument was administered to a representative sample of teachers. Sixty six completed questionnaires were analysed. The Chi-square Test and frequency distribution methods were used to analyse data. The important findings revealed that teachers endorsed scale items on positive rather than negative perceptions.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / After the World Health Organization (WHO) declared 2010 a decade of indigenous knowledge systems, there has been an increase in the studies on the role of African traditional healers in describing mental illness and its treatment. Studies have pointed to the relevance of traditional healing in primary health care in many developing countries. The aim of the present study was to explore the conceptualisation and treatment of mental illness by Zezuru Shona traditional healers in Goromonzi District in Zimbabwe. A qualitative research design, and in particular, the phenomenological method was used in the present study. Ten Shona traditional healers were selected through purposive and snowball sampling and requested to participate in the study. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and analysed using Hycner’s phenomenological explicitation process. Five major themes related to the traiditonal healers’ conceptualisation on mental illness were identified. These are: a). Types/characteristics of mental illness; b). Causes of mental illness; c). Diagnosis and treatment of mental illness; d). Challenges faced by traditional healers; and, e). Facilitating factors in the work of traditional healers. The study further revealed that there are a number of illnesses that are are not mental illness but could be closely associated with mental illness. These are epilepsy (pfari), locking (kusungwa) and sexual dysfunctions. Culture was found to play a central role in the traditional healers’ conceptualisation and treatment of mental illness. In this regard, spirituality was found to be a critical factor in the work of traditional healers in diagnosing, interpreting, treating and preventing mental illness and the associated conditions of ill health. These results were discussed in the context of indigenous knowledge systems and mental illness. The study is concluded by recommending the need to have a holistic understanding of mental illness and associated conditions.