Personality and Mental Health in Namibia: Findings from ...
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CARLA Seminar // CePCO conference Géopolis, Room 2152 Monday, 30 September 10:30 – 12:00 Personality and Mental Health in Namibia: Findings from the PersoNa project’s first year Abstract: Current models of personality and of psychological disorder symptoms rely predominantly on evidence from North America and Northern Europe. A series of studies in Namibia aims to provide a strong test of the universality of these models and to develop local inventories to support further research. In 2018, a lexical study of personality in Khoekhoegowab, the most widely-spoken of Southern Africa’s ancient, Khoisan clicking languages, was conducted with native-speakers from across Namibia. Follow-up qualitative interviews clarified the usage, relevance, and local meaning of terms and constructs. In 2019, the 10-factor Khoekhoegowab Personality Inventory (KPI) was developed from these results, and its psychometric properties are being tested, along with its validity compared to the Big Six in terms of associations with mental and physical health, well-being, religious engagement. Additionally, a survey of common psychological disorder symptoms, as well as measures of personality, physical health, well-being, and religious engagement were administered to speakers of Oshiwambo (the majority in Namibia) and of English (the official language since 1990) in Windhoek. Together, these projects help to distinguish universal from culturally specific aspects of personality and psychological disorder symptoms. Organization: Ms. Liliane Efinger and Dr. Amber Gayle Thalmayer +41 (0)21 692 32 66 or (0)21 692 32 58 ||| [email protected] or [email protected] Dr. Amber Gayle Thalmayer Institute of Psychology University of Lausanne Mr. Sylvanus Job Department of African Studies Humboldt University Berlin Dr. Elizabeth Shino Department of Psychology University of Namibia
Transcript of Personality and Mental Health in Namibia: Findings from ...
CARLA Seminar // CePCO conference Géopolis, Room 2152
Monday, 30 September 10:30 – 12:00
Personality and Mental Health in Namibia: Findings from the PersoNa project’s first year
Abstract: Current models of personality and of psychological disorder symptoms rely predominantly on evidence
from North America and Northern Europe. A series of studies in Namibia aims to provide a strong test of the
universality of these models and to develop local inventories to support further research. In 2018, a lexical study
of personality in Khoekhoegowab, the most widely-spoken of Southern Africa’s ancient, Khoisan clicking
languages, was conducted with native-speakers from across Namibia. Follow-up qualitative interviews clarified the
usage, relevance, and local meaning of terms and constructs. In 2019, the 10-factor Khoekhoegowab Personality
Inventory (KPI) was developed from these results, and its psychometric properties are being tested, along with its
validity compared to the Big Six in terms of associations with mental and physical health, well-being, religious
engagement. Additionally, a survey of common psychological disorder symptoms, as well as measures of
personality, physical health, well-being, and religious engagement were administered to speakers of Oshiwambo
(the majority in Namibia) and of English (the official language since 1990) in Windhoek. Together, these projects
help to distinguish universal from culturally specific aspects of personality and psychological disorder symptoms.
Organization: Ms. Liliane Efinger and Dr. Amber Gayle Thalmayer +41 (0)21 692 32 66 or (0)21 692 32 58 ||| [email protected] or [email protected]
Dr. Amber Gayle Thalmayer Institute of Psychology University of Lausanne
Mr. Sylvanus Job Department of African Studies
Humboldt University Berlin
Dr. Elizabeth Shino Department of Psychology
University of Namibia
