A psychosocial study of albinism in a predominantly Mulatto Caribbean community.
Psychosocial data collected from 12 albinos in rural and isolated parts of the Dominican Republic suggest a stigma is associated with the absence of skin color. The general population living in the area has a skin pigmentation of dark brown. The purpose of the investigation was to assess whether there were psychosocial problems for albinos with white skin and hair. Prior studies imply albinism is a negative social characteristic associated with prejudice and apartheid in a predominantly mulatto community. This researcher recommends that psychologists and health-care providers be familiar with similar sensitive issues among special populations.
Westhoff
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College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa 33615-4729.
D000328:Adult; D000417:Albinism / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D004293:Dominican Republic / Q000208:ethnology; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology*; D006200:Hair Color; D006801:Humans; D009549:Nigeria / Q000208:ethnology; D011287:Prejudice; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D012938:Social Perception