Using Community-Based Participatory Research, a collaborative team of multilingual and multidisciplinary researchers interviewed 40 lay Thai participants, sampling diverse individuals from different socio-economic statuses, rural and urban locations, age ranges, education, and religious beliefs. Thai researchers collaboratively developed the study with a Western researcher using principles of Indigenous Psychology to empower local stakeholders and participants to answer questions relevant in a Thai cultural context. Data from the interviews were translated from Thai, including Thai dialects, to English, and consensual qualitative coding evaluated the Thai and English translation side-by-side to accurately develop themes. A number of broad themes that transcended the categories of etiology, symptoms, and treatment will be discussed. For example, family conflict was viewed as a possible cause of mental illness, but was also considered a potential symptom as well. Treatment, therefore, required improved communication with family, expecting family to act as an advocate for patients, and explicitly including family in the healing process. “Overthinking” was also frequently cited as both a cause and symptom of mental illness, leading to addressing psychological distress by emphasizing the cultural value of “sabai” or being relaxed. Notable thematic differences between rural and urban participants include less awareness of mental illness and limited access to treatments among rural populations. Buddhist individuals frequently cited practices of going to the temple and “making merit” to reduce psychological distress. Implications for treatment in a Thai context will be discussed.

Authors:
Charles Liu, Wheaton College, United States
Angkarin Pimpaeng, Cornerstone Counseling Foundation, Thailand
Pannawadee Chiamsiri, Cornerstone Counseling Foundation, Thailand
Paweena Woothitha, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
Paporn Mongkolwat, International Sustainable Development Studies Institute, Thailand

About the Presenter(s)
Chuck Liu, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and assistant professor in Wheaton College’s School of Psychology, Counseling, and Family Therapy.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-liu-phd-b87561a

See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule

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