APS
2025 APS Annual Convention · 2025
Methodological Considerations in Etic and Emic Research on Psychopathology in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review
- Bora Meraj
St. John's University - Tamara Ross
St. John's University - Dannielle Stephen
St. John's University - Sagnik Chowdhury
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Abstract
We surveyed research on psychopathology in sub-Saharan Africa by drawing on emic (cultural-specific understanding of symptoms) and etic (using imported systems from outside cultures) studies. We found an overrepresentation of etic research with locally generated knowledge highlighting comorbidity and emic approaches. We suggest frameworks for overcoming limitations of etic/emic research.
