Abstract
This is the initial report of a longitudinal study conducted in a developing, culturally heterogeneous society. The study compares figures of frequency and length of perceived illness, subjective reports of biological and behavioural symptoms, and use of medical facilities in response to episodes of illness by female heads of households from two highly distinctive social-ethnic groups. Despite differences in socioeconomic status and cultural beliefs about disease and treatment, both groups showed roughly comparable rates of perceived illness, but certain differences were noted. The more prosperous Western group termed ladinos, showed they had had more illness which had also lasted longer, as well as higher levels of symptoms. The medical actions of the two groups in response to these episodes of illness differed. The significance of these results is discussed with respect to the multiplicity of factors which influence health status and judgements of perceived illness.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Fabrega H., Jr, Manning P. K. An integrated theory of disease: Ladino-Mestizo views of disease in the Chiapas Highlands. Psychosom Med. 1973 May-Jun;35(3):223–239. doi: 10.1097/00006842-197305000-00006. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Holmes T. H., Rahe R. H. The Social Readjustment Rating Scale. J Psychosom Res. 1967 Aug;11(2):213–218. doi: 10.1016/0022-3999(67)90010-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Maclean C. M. Tradition in transition. A health opinion survey in Ibadan, Nigeria. Br J Prev Soc Med. 1965 Oct;19(4):192–197. doi: 10.1136/jech.19.4.192. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Teller C. H. Access to medical care of migrants in a Honduran city. J Health Soc Behav. 1973 Sep;14(3):214–226. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- WHITE K. L., WILLIAMS T. F., GREENBERG B. G. The ecology of medical care. N Engl J Med. 1961 Nov 2;265:885–892. doi: 10.1056/NEJM196111022651805. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]