HRPYC81 Exploring the perception of mental
illness among South African Muslim students.
Exploring the perception of mental illness among South African
Muslim students
Alia Gibson
Department of Psychology
University of Cape Town
Supervisor: Dr. Wahbie Long
Word count:
Abstract: 201
Main bo...
HRPYC81 Exploring the perception of mental
illness among South African Muslim students.
, Exploring the perception of mental illness among South African
Muslim students
Alia Gibson
Department of Psychology
University of Cape Town
Supervisor: Dr. Wahbie Long
Word count:
Abstract: 201
Main body: 9930
, Acknowledgements
I would like to express my deep gratitude to my supervisor, Dr. Wahbie Long for his thoughtful
guidance and support throughout this project.
I would also like to express my gratitude to my research participants for their willingness and
openness in discussing the potentially sensitive topic of mental illness.
Finally I would like to thank my friends and family for their support throughout the past year.
ii
, Abstract
There is a growing interest in adapting psychology to non-Western cultures. This is of
particular importance in South Africa with its culturally diverse population. Looking to non-
Western cultural approaches to psychology can provide insight into what changes may need
to be integrated into mainstream psychology. Islam has a rich psychological tradition that
makes it a good candidate for research aimed at increasing the inclusiveness of mainstream
psychology. In order to further this aim, the current study investigated the perceptions of
Muslim students around the topic of mental illness and psychology. Four focus groups of
between five and eight undergraduate psychology students were conducted using a semi-
structured approach. The resulting data were analysed using thematic analysis within a
constructionist framework and three main themes were identified. Three main themes were
identified around stigma, the use of faith in treating mental illness and on the interaction of
Islam with psychology. Participants held conflicting views on the use of prayer as an
intervention for mental illness and on the integration of Islam into psychotherapy. Ultimately
the results suggested that rather than attempting to integrate Islam into psychology,
psychologists should instead aim to learn about Islamic culture in order to better understand
their Muslim clients.
Keywords: Islam; Muslim clients; mental illness; psychology; thematic analysis;
South Africa
iii
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