Cultural Beliefs, Mental Health, and Supernatural Attribution of Illness in Ramnagar, Jammu & Kashmir

Author(s): Eisha Gohil

Abstract:

In many Indian rural areas, the combination of supernatural belief systems and scientific medical procedures continues to influence health-related behaviors. In Ramnagar, a town in Jammu & Kashmir's Udhampur region, the current study examines the prevalence of superstition, spiritual healing, and supernatural attribution of illness. Many people in the area still believe that physical and mental disorders are the result of evil powers, black magic, ancestor wrath, or spiritual punishment, despite expanding educational possibilities and the availability of biological healthcare. This research investigates how old belief systems coexist with contemporary medical treatment, drawing on reflective ethnographic observations, psychological insights, and current literature on superstition, cultural psychology, and health-seeking behavior.
The stigma associated with mental illness, fear of uncertainty, cultural conditioning, and collective social narratives are just a few of the psychological and sociocultural elements that contribute to these beliefs. The conflicts between deeply ingrained cultural traditions and logical scientific education are highlighted in a qualitative reflective account from the viewpoint of a psychology teacher employed in the area. The study highlights that because supernatural beliefs are closely related to identity, community, and emotional stability, education alone may not be able to totally erase them.
The study makes the case for culturally conscious mental health education initiatives that uphold regional customs and advance evidence-based medical procedures. It suggests that increasing mental health literacy and healthcare utilization in rural communities requires a psychological and cultural understanding of superstition.

keywords:
Superstition, mental health, supernatural beliefs, cultural psychology, faith healing, rural health, Ramnagar, Jammu & Kashmir

Pages: 88-92     |    15 View     |    1 Download