Table 2 Participant's beliefs concerning the cause of schizophrenic disorders (divided into six categories) (n = 404)
Main reason | Possible reason | Not likely | Definitely not | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
N (%) | N (%) | N (%) | N (%) | |
Biological causes | ||||
Mental illness | 121 (30.0) | 122 (30.2) | 67 (16.6) | 94 (23.3) |
Hereditary/genetic | 36 (8.9) | 122 (30.3) | 93 (23.1) | 152 (37.7) |
Weak mental constitution | 91 (22.5) | 143 (35.4) | 64 (15.8) | 106 (26.2) |
Psychosocial stressors | ||||
Marital problems | 44 (11.0) | 154 (38.4) | 60 (15.0) | 143 (35.7) |
Work stress | 70 (17.3) | 149 (36.9) | 83 (20.5) | 102 (25.2) |
Busy lifestyle | 35 (8.7) | 102 (25.2) | 113 (28.0) | 154 (38.1) |
Unemployment | 78 (19.3) | 122 (30.2) | 67 (16.6) | 137 (33.9) |
Failure in love | 62 (15.4) | 143 (35.6) | 67 (16.7) | 130 (32.3) |
Social Issues | ||||
Loneliness | 100 (24.8) | 141 (34.9) | 62 (15.3) | 101 (25.0) |
Bad upbringing | 38 (9.4) | 102 (25.2) | 97 (24.0) | 167 (41.3) |
Sexual abuse during childhood | 24 (6.0) | 100 (24.9) | 97 (24.2) | 180 (44.9) |
Personality Issues | ||||
Anxious personality | 69 (17.1) | 146 (36.2) | 82 (20.3) | 106 (26.3) |
Attention seeking behavior | 44 (10.9) | 145 (36.0) | 103 (25.6) | 111 (27.5) |
Alcohol or other addictions | 31 (7.7) | 117 (29.0) | 74 (18.3) | 182 (45.0) |
Religious reasons | ||||
Punishment for sins | 63 (15.6) | 104 (25.7) | 83 (20.5) | 154 (38.1) |
Fate | 36 (8.9) | 64 (15.9) | 93 (23.1) | 210 (52.1) |
Gods will | 130 (32.3) | 67 (16.7) | 65 (16.2) | 140 (34.8) |
Superstitious beliefs | ||||
Black magic | 37 (9.2) | 79 (19.6) | 76 (18.9) | 211 (52.4) |
Taweez | 27 (6.7) | 79 (19.6) | 90 (22.3) | 208 (51.5) |
Nazar | 22 (5.5) | 78 (19.4) | 101 (25.1) | 202 (50.1) |
Possessed by bad spirits | 27 (6.7) | 105 (26.1) | 80 (19.9) | 190 (47.3) |
Extraterrestrial influence | 20 (5.0) | 57 (14.1) | 87 (21.6) | 239 (59.3) |