Dissociative trance and spirit possession: Challenges for cultures in transition.

Dissociative possession and trance disorders show similar patterns across cultures, yet their cross-cultural validity remains debated, which hinders research and prevalence interpretation. In India, dissociative and conversion disorders are common in clinical settings. True cultural variations exist in these conditions. A new framework could help clinicians better understand possession states and spirit possession.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The cross-cultural validity of dissociative possession and trance disorders is a matter of some debate, limiting research and meaningful interpretation of prevalence data. Intimate to these concerns is the status of spirit possession categories studied in the social sciences, particularly anthropology. These two categories are phenomenologically related and display similar epidemiological associations. In India, dissociative and conversion disorders are fairly common in clinical settings. There is no doubt that there are true cultural variations in possession and trance disorders. A new framework may enable clinicians to better understand possession states and spirit possession.