Conférence CePCO et CARLA seminar
Current models of personality and of psychological disorder symptoms rely predominantly on evidence from North America and Northern Europe. A series of studies in Namibia aims to provide a strong test of the universality of these models and to develop local inventories to support further research. In 2018, a lexical study of personality in Khoekhoegowab, the most widely-spoken of Southern Africa’s ancient, Khoisan clicking languages, was conducted with native-speakers from across Namibia. Follow-up qualitative interviews clarified the usage, relevance, and local meaning of terms and constructs. In 2019, the 10-factor Khoekhoegowab Personality Inventory (KPI) was developed from these results, and its psychometric properties are being tested, along with its validity compared to the Big Six in terms of associations with mental and physical health, well-being, religious engagement. Additionally, a survey of common psychological disorder symptoms, as well as measures of personality, physical health, well-being, and religious engagement were administered to speakers of Oshiwambo (the majority in Namibia) and of English (the official language since 1990) in Windhoek. Together, these projects help to distinguish universal from culturally specific aspects of personality and psychological disorder symptoms.