Use of traditional healing among Sámi psychiatric patients in the north of Norway

Abstract

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to learn more about the extent of, and factors related to, the use of traditional and complementary healing modalities among Sámi psychiatric patients. Study Design. A quantitative survey among psychiatric patients in Finnmark and Nord-Troims, Norway. Results. A total of 186 Sámi and Norwegian patients responded to the survey, a response rate of 48%. Of these, 43 had a strong Sámi cultural affiliation. Use of traditional and complementary treatment modalities was significantly higher within the Sámi group. Factors related to use differed between Sámi and Norwegian groups. Sámi users were found to give greater importance to religion and spirituality in dealing with illness than Sámi patients who had not used these treatments. They were also found to be less satisfied with central aspects of their psychiatric treatment. Conclusions. In this study, we found several differences in factors related to the use of traditional and complementary treatments between Sámi and Norwegian psychiatric patient groups. Sámi users were found to give greater importance to religion and spirituality and were less satisfied with the public psychiatric services than Sámi patients who had not used traditional or complementary treatments. The study implies that finding ways to include different-aspects of traditional healing within the health services to the Sámi community should be given consideration.