Classification systems
Classification systems are diagnostic tools or manuels that provide a system of diagnostic
categories, a set of symptoms corresponding to each category, and rules for making a
diagnosis based on the set of symptoms.
Bolton: the aim of the study was to investigate the validity of Western mental illness
concepts in Rwanda. Case study in two rural areas of Rwanda after the Rwandan genocide.
First, the researchers used free listing. They provided local terms for symptoms and signs of
mental illness. Interviewees then identified the symptoms from the set that had resulted from
the genocide. They then conducted key informant interviews to identify local healers who
could identify more about those symptoms and disorders. Finally, pile sorts done by the local
healers concluded the relationship between the symptoms and local disorders as well as
symptoms from the DSM. They used these symptoms to formulate a questionnaire to give to
the local people. 17.9% met the DSM criteria for depression while 41.8% identified
themselves as having the local depression, agahinda.
Parker et al: the aim of their study was to investigate the reasons why Chinese vs. White
patients sought out help for their depression (using and etic approach). The researchers
gave a questionnaire to sample of Chinese-Malaysians and White-Australians. The
questionnaire was designed from white diagnostic tools and Singaporean psychiatrists and
asked the extent to which they experienced the depressive symptoms and asked the
participants to order them from how distressing they were. They were asked to identify which
symptom lead them to seek out help. The results showed that 60% of Chinese identified a
somatic symptom that led them to seek out help, in comparison to 13 of White people. The
Chinese were also less likely to identify emotional or cognitive symptoms.
Classification systems are diagnostic tools or manuels that provide a system of diagnostic
categories, a set of symptoms corresponding to each category, and rules for making a
diagnosis based on the set of symptoms.
Bolton: the aim of the study was to investigate the validity of Western mental illness
concepts in Rwanda. Case study in two rural areas of Rwanda after the Rwandan genocide.
First, the researchers used free listing. They provided local terms for symptoms and signs of
mental illness. Interviewees then identified the symptoms from the set that had resulted from
the genocide. They then conducted key informant interviews to identify local healers who
could identify more about those symptoms and disorders. Finally, pile sorts done by the local
healers concluded the relationship between the symptoms and local disorders as well as
symptoms from the DSM. They used these symptoms to formulate a questionnaire to give to
the local people. 17.9% met the DSM criteria for depression while 41.8% identified
themselves as having the local depression, agahinda.
Parker et al: the aim of their study was to investigate the reasons why Chinese vs. White
patients sought out help for their depression (using and etic approach). The researchers
gave a questionnaire to sample of Chinese-Malaysians and White-Australians. The
questionnaire was designed from white diagnostic tools and Singaporean psychiatrists and
asked the extent to which they experienced the depressive symptoms and asked the
participants to order them from how distressing they were. They were asked to identify which
symptom lead them to seek out help. The results showed that 60% of Chinese identified a
somatic symptom that led them to seek out help, in comparison to 13 of White people. The
Chinese were also less likely to identify emotional or cognitive symptoms.
