Degree

BS (Social Sciences & Liberal Arts)

Faculty / School

School of Economics and Social Sciences (SESS)

Department

Department of Social Sciences & Liberal Arts

Date of Award

Summer 2025

Date of Submission

2025-07-30

Advisor

Dr. Muhammad Shameel Khan

Project Type

SSLA Culminating Experience

Access Type

Restricted Access

Keywords

Schizophrenia, Psychosocial interventions, Cultural adaptation, Mental health in Pakistan, Biopsychosocial, Mental health practitioners

Abstract

Schizophrenia, a complex and chronic mental disorder, poses significant treatment challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Pakistan. While pharmacological interventions address core symptoms, they often fail to consider the socio-cultural dimensions crucial to patient engagement and recovery. This study explores the cultural adaptation of psychosocial interventions for schizophrenia in Pakistan, with a focus on how mental health professionals perceive their applicability and effectiveness. Employing a qualitative research design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with four mental health practitioners, each with experience in treating schizophrenia. Thematic analysis revealed four key themes: the dominance of Western therapeutic frameworks, the lack of formal guidelines for cultural adaptation, resource limitations, and the influence of traditional healing practices. Participants emphasized tailoring language, concepts, and delivery methods to the Pakistani context while navigating socioeconomic and infrastructural constraints. The findings highlight the disconnect between Western-designed interventions and the lived realities of Pakistani patients, pointing to the need for contextually grounded strategies. Interventions such as CuLFI and STOPS+ are discussed as promising culturally adapted models. Additionally, the research underscores the potential benefits and ethical considerations of integrating traditional and spiritual healing with biomedical care. The study calls for the development of standardized guidelines for culturally adapted psychosocial treatments, increased collaboration across sectors, and expanded mental health infrastructure. By centering cultural relevance, this research aims to enhance the accessibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of schizophrenia treatment in Pakistan.

Pages

70

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