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Hmong Explanatory Models

Hmong vs. Western Mbedical Explanatory Models

In the novel The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, the focus of the novel is on a young Hmong child named Lia who suffers from severe epilepsy. Within the novel, two different explanatory models explained the belief that Lia suffers from epilepsy. One explanatory model was that of the Hmong perspective, while the second came from Lia’s American physicians.
The Hmong culture believes that all physical disease comes from a spiritual nature, which is shown in the reasoning for how Lia became ill. Lia’s parent’s believed that when Lia’s sister slammed the door to their house, that Lia’s soul was lost. This loss of her sole was also believed by Lia’s parents to be the cause of Lia’s illness. The Hmong also ...

Posted by: Gabrielle Gooch

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