Psychopathology and shamanism in rural Mexico: a case study of spirit possession.
The British journal of medical psychology March 1, 1980 DOI: 10.1111/j.2044-8341.1980.tb02870.x via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA case study of Juan Jose Fong, a socially marginal Chinese-Mexican man with a hysterical personality, argues that his reported mystical possession stems from psychological conflicts, emotional complexes, and his familial and social standing. The subject experiences guilt, inferiority, and non-acceptance by his peer group. Personifying his personal problems as spirit possession allows him to preserve self-esteem, social status, and personality integration.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | A socially marginal Chinese-Mexican man with a hysterical personality |
| Citations | 11 |
| Key finding | The subject's mystical possession is directly related to psychological conflicts and emotional complexes, and personifying his problems as spirit possession helps maintain self-esteem, social status, and personality integration. |
Abstract
The so-called mystical possession of Juan Jose Fong, a socially marginal Chinese-Mexican of hysterical personality is directly related to the subject's psychological conflicts and emotional complexes and familial and social standing within the immediate cultural context. The subject is seen as suffering from conflicting emotions and cognitions centering around guilt, inferiority and non-acceptance by his peer group. The personification of his personal problems in the motif of spirit possessions enables the subject to maintain a measure of self-esteem, social status and personality integration.