Depressive symptoms and occupational role among female groups: A research in a South-East African village

Background: Although the relationships between social and cultural factors and African psychopathology have largely been considered from a theoretical point of view, empirical studies are still few and far between. This paper reports the results of a mental health survey conducted in the village of Namwera (Malawi, South-East Africa) to explore the link between social cond itions, in particular occupational role, and psychopathology, Methods: A mo dified version of the Self-Reporting Questionnaire translated into Chichewa language was administered to 161 women (23 dressmakers, 46 nurses, 92 hous ewives). A Socio-Anamnestic Questionnaire and a Clinical Interview were als o applied, Results: Dressmakers and housewives appeared more at risk of psy chological suffering than nurses. Psychosomatic symptoms are more frequent among housewives, while dressmakers show more typical depressive symptoms, including suicidal thoughts and self-blame. Conclusions: Data confirm that also in an African context, some social factors are related to depression a mong female groups. Copyright (C) 2000 S.Karger AG, Basel.