Definition, causes, and consequences of Hamm (idiom of distress in Arabic) in the Palestinian context: a qualitative study

Publication date: 21 February 2018 Source:The Lancet, Volume 391, Supplement 2 Author(s): Abeer A Nasir, Razan Salah, Abla Sayyed Ahmad, Samah Abu Hijleh, Sa'eed Abu Kattab, Alia Al Kurd, Rawan Al Sharif, Raed Amro, Ahmad Khatib, Hana' Mousa, Walaa Shamasnah, Khammisa Shqerat, Rita Giacaman Background Hamm is an Arabic word that is used to express suffering. Idioms of distress are communicated differently in different contexts and cultures. Understanding idioms of distress and symptoms can help in diagnosis and lead to socioculturally sensitive health care. Methods In this qualitative study, we did semi-structured interviews with men and women of all age groups. Questions focused on the definition, causes, and consequences of Hamm. Responses were analysed by reading and re-reading interview transcripts until themes and subthemes emerged. Oral informed consent was obtained from participants. Findings 52 participants contributed to this study (26 women, 26 men; half of whom were aged 18–40 years, and the other half of whom were older than 40 years. Hamm was defined by participants as a feeling of discomfort, sadness, stress, anxiety, and fear of the future. Causes of Hamm included social, economic, and political factors and varied between the sexes: young men (aged 18–40 years) reported family obligations, conflicts, unsolved problems, and failure in studies, whereas young women (aged 18–40 years) reported gossip, social traditional restrictions, isolatio...
Source: The Lancet - Category: General Medicine Source Type: research