INUIT ATTITUDES TOWARD DEVIANT-BEHAVIOR - A VIGNETTE STUDY

Attitudes toward deviant behavior that might indicate psychiatric diso rder were investigated among the Inuit of Northern Quebec (Nunavik). I n a convenience sample of 137 Inuit adults, respondents were randomly presented with one of six different vignettes that described a man wit h ''strange'' behavior who was either threatening or withdrawn and who se problem was labeled either ''isumaluttuq'' (''burdened or weighed d own by thoughts''), ''demon possession,'' or ''mental illness.'' Respo ndents rated their willingness to live, work, or hunt with this person and allow him into their family on a social distance scale. Significa nt predictors of greater social distance were female gender, more educ ation, less familiarity with the behavior, and perception of the perso n as less Likely to recover. There were no significant effects of vign ette behavior or label on social distance ratings. Rating of likelihoo d of recovery was influenced by the vignette label, with isumaluttuq a ssociated with less chance of recovery. Ascribing strange behavior to morally wrong action and to spirits or demons were highly intercorrela ted and each was associated with perception of greater Likelihood of r ecovery. Results suggest that Inuit attitudes toward deviant behavior are influenced more by perceived familiarity and likelihood of recover y than by labels, causal attributions, or explanations. The indigenous psychological concept of isumaluttuq does not serve to reduce social stigma. Efforts to promote the community integration of psychiatric pa tients through education should aim to increase familiarity with the p roblematic behavior and emphasize potential for recovery.