Cultural Psychology of Health in India

Can indigenous healing practices be integrated with medical treatment to promote public health care service in India?

This book offers a holistic concept of health, encompassing the four major domains such as prevention, treatment, promotion of good health and rehabilitation. It looks at the fast-growing field of research on health and well-being from a cultural psychological perspective, focusing mainly on indigenous Indian practices. It examines health care systems that have evolved in different cultural set-ups, building on prevailing values, traditions and ethos of particular societies. Straddling both theoretical and practical issues regarding illness recovery, maintenance of good health and enhancing the quality of well-being, it also looks at psychosocial barriers in rehabilitation. The study brings together two diverse streams of health care--modern medicine and traditional Indian systems, including Ayurveda, yoga and folk healing--for their complementary roles in providing holistic and affordable health care services in India.