Degree Name
MA (Master of Arts)
Program
Sociology
Date of Award
5-2014
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Kelly Foster
Committee Members
Martha Copp, Joseph Baker
Abstract
This study is an investigation into why people with depression and anxiety use complementary and alternative medicines at higher rates than the general population. The study examines perceptions of mental illness and meanings assigned to depression and anxiety, others’ perceptions of mental illness, and experiences with conventional medicine. All participants were using complementary and alternative medicine at the time of the study; their reasons for CAM use as well as how CAM affected perceptions of their illness were main research questions. I conducted three focus groups with individuals diagnosed with depression who were using complementary and alternative medicine as forms of treatment. Focus groups were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using the coding software Nvivo. Participants were also given two questionnaires that were analyzed using SPSS. This study shows that complementary and alternative medicine ultimately gives individuals perceived control, a sense of agency, action, and acceptance in regards to their mental illness.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Allen, Rachael Welsh, "From Quackery to Control: Perceptions of Complementary and Alternative Medicine from Users with Mental Health Disorders" (2014). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 2372. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/2372
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.
Included in
Medicine and Health Commons, Quantitative, Qualitative, Comparative, and Historical Methodologies Commons, Social Psychology and Interaction Commons