article

Psychic stress in a Tongan village

Pacific Science Congress of the Pacific Science Association, 6th4 • Published In 1940 • Pages: 43-52

By: Beaglehole, Ernest.

Abstract
This source presents case material, description and analysis, on the dreams of ten Tongans in order to show the 'value of the study of psychic stress in a primitive community' (p. 51). Nine of the ten cases concern dreams and their indication of various forms of stress. The tenth concerns a psychotic patient and the relation between the religious symbolism of her dreams and ravings and the influence of religion in Tonga. Beaglehole indicates that Tongans take religion very seriously and the intensity of their feelings is frequently as aspect of mental illness.
Subjects
Life history materials
Personality disorders
Ethnopsychology
Adjustment processes
Personality traits
General character of religion
culture
Tongans
HRAF PubDate
2006
Region
Oceania
Sub Region
Polynesia
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Martin J. Malone; 1978
Field Date
December 1938 - February 1939
Coverage Date
1938-1939
Coverage Place
Pangai, Vava'u, Tonga
Notes
Ernest Beaglehole
Includes bibliographical references
LCSH
Tongans