Philippine Psychology: History, Indigenous Measures, and Mental Health

Philippine Psychology

History of Philippine Psychology

The history of Philippine psychology can be traced back to the 1970s when the Sikolohiyang Pilipino (Filipino Psychology) movement began. This movement aimed to develop psychological measures that were more culturally sensitive and relevant to the Filipino population. Prior to this, there were concerns about the applicability of foreign-made tests to Filipino behavior and the lack of locally developed tests. Enriquez (1994) described Sikolohiyang Pilipino as a psychology rooted in the Malayo-Polynesian and Asian heritage of the Filipino people, focusing on their experience, ideas, and orientation.

Indigenous Psychology

Indigenous psychology in the Philippines has been a significant part of the development of psychological measures. The Sikolohiyang Pilipino movement encouraged the development of indigenous psychological measures, leading to a significant increase in locally developed tests. These tests focused on various aspects of Filipino characteristics, such as katalinuhan (intelligence), pagkarelihiyoso (religiousness), and kakayahang magdala ng tensyon (ability to cope with stress).

Two notable multidimensional measures of Filipino personality constructs are the Panukat ng Pagkataong Pilipino (PPP) and the Panukat ng Ugali at Pagkatao (PUP). The PPP was developed in 1978 and aimed to assess personality traits relevant to the Filipino context (Carlota, 1985). The PUP was developed in the 1990s and focused on a more comprehensive assessment of personality and character traits (Enriquez & Guanzon-Lapena, 1997).

Filipino Values and Personality

Studies have been conducted to understand the personality traits of individuals in the Philippines. Church and Katigbak (2002) reviewed the questions addressed by researchers studying personality traits across cultures and found that traits are used in all cultures, including the Philippines, to understand persons and their behavior. The universality versus culture-specificity of traits, the validity of imported and indigenous measures of personality traits, and the meaningfulness of trait comparisons across cultures have all been addressed in the context of the Philippines.

Research has also focused on the applicability of traits and trait theory as a basis for understanding persons and their behavior across cultures. Church, Katigbak, and their colleagues (1998) found that the Big Five or Big Seven dimensions of personality emerge when using the lexical approach, a method for deriving personality dimensions from language. This suggests that personality structure in the Philippines is consistent with the broader psychological literature.

Mental Health in the Philippines

Mental health in the Philippines has been a concern due to the limited availability of mental health services, particularly in rural areas. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that less than 1% of the national health budget is allocated to mental health services, leading to a significant treatment gap (WHO, 2004). This has been attributed to the stigma associated with mental health issues and the lack of resources for mental health professionals.

There have been efforts to improve mental health services in the Philippines, including the establishment of community-based mental health programs and the training of primary care providers to identify and manage common mental disorders. Despite these efforts, mental health remains a significant challenge in the country, particularly in underserved areas.

In conclusion, Philippine psychology has a rich history and an ongoing commitment to understanding and addressing the unique needs of the Filipino population. The development of indigenous psychological measures and the focus on culturally sensitive research have contributed to a better understanding of Filipino values, personality, and mental health issues. Despite challenges, the field continues to grow and adapt to the changing needs of society.