1Senior Res. Fellow, Deptt. of Clinical Neuropsychology, Neurosciences Centre, AIIMS, New Delhi
2Junior Res. Fellow, Deptt. of Psychiatry, Dr. RM L P G Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
3Additional Professor, Deptt of Clinical Psychology, Ranchi Institute of Neuropsychiatry and Allied Sciences, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
4Professor, Deptt of Clinical Psychology, Ranchi Institute of Neuropsychiatry and Allied Sciences, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
*Corresponding Author: Prof. (Dr.) Amool R Singh, RINPAS, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India, Email: sisamool@yahoo.com
Online published on 13 January, 2020.
Perception towards the use of a particular substance is influenced by various factors including the cultural background of the individual. The tribal population, where alcohol intake is culturally accepted, can have different beliefs and attributes causing one to take alcohol. This study attempts to examine the reasons for alcohol intake from the perspective of tribal of Jharkhand. Study aims to understand the perception of alcohol use from the standpoint of tribal in Jharkhand. 20 individuals between the age group 18–38 years from tribal community of Jharkhand were selected through purposive sampling method. A semi structured interview was conducted for a qualitative analysis of their narratives. Results shows the common themes that emerged include the role of culture, religious beliefs, family dynamics and their crippling poverty. For this study, the selected tribal people were interviewed and their narratives were analyzed. Several important themes emerged, such as the poverty, family dynamics, religion and culture which possibly contributes in developing a perception about the locally brewed liquor and at the same time these reciprocally perpetuates poverty, malnutrition and alcohol consumption further in the tribal community of Jharkhand.
Tribal Community, Culture, Alcohol, Handiya, Mahua
