How cultural norms shape understandings of mental health and intimate life choices
“The Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences (JIBS) research bulletin presents an overview of recent research published by the faculty and research scholars at JIBS organised under different themes.”
Assistant Professor
Publication
Ali, A., Paul, F. A., Singh, A., Ganie, A. U. R., & Dangroo, A. A. (2026). Understanding Schizophrenia Through Cultural Lenses in India: A Case Study Using the Cultural Formulation Interview. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 1–9.
This single-case study used the Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI )to explore the perspectives of a woman with schizophrenia and her caregiver, focusing on cultural influences. The patient underwent CFI and clinical interviews to assess cultural impacts on her illness experience. Her family attributed symptoms such as disrupted sleep, self-talk, and unusual behaviour to supernatural causes like black magic, reflecting community beliefs. Initially, they sought help from faith healers, with limited relief, before turning to psychiatric care, which improved her symptoms. Despite this, religious practices continued alongside treatment. The patient’s limited understanding of her illness led to poor medication adherence. This case highlights the value of incorporating cultural perspectives into clinical practice to enhance adherence and outcomes. CFI aids in gaining a comprehensive understanding of illness and integrating cultural insights into care. Read Here
Lecturer
Publication
Choudhary, L. (2026, January 24). The “failure” of marriage or the success of autonomy? Rethinking divorce beyond stigma. Economic and Political Weekly, 61(4).
Divorce in India continues to be read primarily as a sign of moral decline and the “failure” of
marriage. This article advances the opposite claim: the growing visibility of divorce is a marker of autonomy, especially for women resisting coercive conjugality. It reinterprets divorce not as a social disorder but as a legitimate pathway out of unequal marriages. The insight, therefore, argues for reforms that ensure predictability, security, and dignity in marital dissolution. By placing autonomy at the heart of family law, it urges a new understanding of marriage founded on reciprocity and care, rather than endurance as the sole measure of its worth. Read Here..
Faculty Coordinator: Ms. Bhavya Tandon Assistant Professor, JIBS