Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Okinawa: Biomedicine Situated in Local Contexts

The purpose of this proposed research is to obtain a nuanced understanding of the potential differences in how symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are manifested and reported by both Japanese and American families living in Okinawa, and how such differences are interpreted by ADHD researchers. This project situates itself at the front-line of social studies of biomedicine and mental health. Interactions that take place between families and researchers at the Children’s Research Center at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology will be observed and recorded in writing. Of particular interest is how the cultural contexts of Okinawa and Japan might influence the supposedly universal biomedicine perspective of the disorder. TO BE CONT’D

Faculty Supervisor:

Aryn Martin

Student:

Partner:

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Education

University:

York University

Program: