Disorders of ageing across cultures

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511543609.027

25 - Disorders of ageing across cultures

from Part III - Culture and mental disorders

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 August 2009

Ajit Shah and

Sheena MacKenzie

Edited by

Dinesh Bhugra and

Kamaldeep Bhui

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Ajit Shah: Affiliation:
John Connolly Unit West London Mental Health NHS Trust Uxbridge Road Southall Middlesex UB1 3EU UK
Sheena MacKenzie: Affiliation:
Old Age Psychiatry West London Mental Health NHS Trust Uxbridge Road Southall Middlesex UB1 3EU UK
Dinesh Bhugra: Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London
Kamaldeep Bhui: Affiliation:
Barts & The London, Queen Mary School of Medicine and Dentistry

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Summary

EDITORS' INTRODUCTION

Human beings age but the response to age, ageing and the aged is very strongly influenced by cultures. In some cultures 80-year-old males or females marrying partners younger than them barely raise an eyebrow. However, in others, once an individual has reached the age of 60, celebrations to mark the occasion include ‘remarrying’ their spouse. The respect offered to the aged is dictated by cultural values and social roles. The longevity of individuals varies across cultures consequent to a number of factors including genetic, physical, dietary and other environmental factors. The response to ageing is largely social and cultural, from involving the aged in familial decisions to placing them out of sight in nursing homes. With an increase in longevity, the population of elderly is also becoming larger in many cultures.

Shah and MacKenzie provide not only background information on international and some national demographic changes, but they also illustrate cultural differences in epidemiological findings and related social factors. Use of cognitive tests (developed in Western countries) in individuals from low-income countries, rural areas, different concepts of orientation in time and place in different cultures and preferential use of the Western or traditional calendar all play a role in confounding the diagnosis of conditions such as dementia. The expression of depression across different cultures and also differing vocabulary and language to express emotions and feelings influence the way in which diagnosis can be influenced. Shah and MacKenzie use examples of existing diagnostic instruments to illustrate problems of category fallacy.

Type: Chapter
Information: Textbook of Cultural Psychiatry , pp. 323 - 344

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511543609.027 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2007

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