BELIEF IN TRANSMIGRATION OF THE SOUL AND PSYCHOPATHOLOGY IN ISRAELI DRUZE - A CULTURE-SENSITIVE PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC APPROACH

One of the central tenets of the Druze religion is the transmigration of the soul. In rare cases this belief may be related to psychopatholo gy or cause a temporary inability to function normally, We report on 5 Druze patients whose preoccupation with transmigration was the basis of their pathological behavior. These cases illustrate the interaction between cultural and religious beliefs, and psychopathology, and emph asize the importance of employing a culture-specific psychiatric appro ach in the management of this type of patients.