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Transcultural Psychiatry
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Initiation Rites as a Perceived Stressor for Isixhosa Males with Schizophrenia

Roselle Le Roux

University of Stellenbosch, roselleleroux{at}yahoo.com

Daniel Jan Hendrik Niehaus

University of Stellenbosch, djhn{at}sun.ac.za

Liezl Koen

University of Stellenbosch, liezlk{at}sun.ac.za,

Cathlene Seller

University of Stellenbosch, ncseller{at}iafrica.com

Christine Lochner

University of Stellenbosch, cl2{at}sun.ac.za

Robin Alexander Emsley

University of Stellenbosch, rae{at}sun.ac.za

Although traditional initiation forms a pivotal part of Xhosa culture, it may be a stressful life event for the individual. In this study, 75 Xhosa males diagnosed with schizophrenia were interviewed to examine their perceptions of the role of initiation in the onset and course of their illness. In all, eight patients (10.7%) perceived the initiation rites as a stressful event that had triggered the onset of a psychotic episode, and six (8%) felt it precipitated a relapse. Our findings suggest that initiation rituals may be perceived as a stressful life event influencing the onset and course of schizophrenia. This underlines the importance of understanding the cultural background of patients.

Key Words: initiation • onset • psychosis • relapse • schizophrenia • Xhosa

Transcultural Psychiatry, Vol. 44, No. 2, 292-299 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1363461507077728
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