The Self, Psychosocial Disorder and Recovery: An African Perspective

Cross-cultural studies suggest that different cultures shape different conceptions of the self, (Markus & Kitayama, 1991). Also some authors (Hofstede, 1983, Triandis, 1989, 1994) have differentiated the impact of cultures on individualism versus collectivism dimensions. The theory of independent and interdependent self-system is fraught with misconceptions particularly when applied to the African self. Also the dichotomy and characteristics are full of bias and provocative. This paper will highlight some of these provocations and bring some coherence to a series of observations made by African researchers knowledgeable about the conditions of health and disease in Africa. The notion of ‘Self’ from an African perspective is usually defined within the framework of group norms, values and kinship relationship and ties, entrenched in cultural values. The notion of self in this sense also runs counter to the notion of self in western cultures. The African is a ‘group person’, a ‘family person’ and the ‘we person’-which explains the lack of linguistic vocabulary for words like first cousins, second cousins etc. Also the self from an African perspective can be viewed and classified in several ways: the normal self and abnormal self. The manifestations of mental illness look-alike symptoms in “Ogbanje” syndromes will also be highlighted. This paper focuses on how the notion of self-in-group format is developed and sustained. Research questions for this paper include: how do group norms define relationships and self? How do family ties and kinship relationships define one’s self? This paper also supports and refutes some theoretical perspective as wrongly presented of the meaning of self by western scholars. Finally, the paper explains how these definitions impact the perception of illness and recovery of the African in mental health settings.