The ethnographic video Family Victim examines the reciprocal influence of cultural and familial settings in a person’s growth with a distinctly non-typical behavioral pattern. The reputed “bad coconut” of a prominent Javanese family is Estu (Lemelson, 2010). Social factors associated with Javanese beliefs about development and maturity require Estu to have a social role and interactions for which his psyche was not ready. His erratic behavior has put a strain on his relationships and put his marriage in jeopardy, leading to the development of numerous theories to explain his “troubled and troubling” life course, including the Indonesian idioms of distress ngamuk and spirit possession as well as the widely accepted folk diagnosis of psychopathy (Lemelson, 2010). From the American viewpoint, Estu’s abnormal behavior is best understood by considering a complex of causes representing biological, psychological, and sociocultural domains. In the case of Estu, he most likely experiences difficulties in coping with stress and illogical fears. He is also susceptible to uncontrollable emotions and dysfunctional thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that lead him to meet the criteria for a psychological disorder. However, Estu is quite open with Lemelson and his colleagues throughout all this, recalling prior attempts to solve his difficulties. He frequently displays a desire to alter or modify his actions. He wants to be more accountable for his role as a husband and father.
Estu does have some items on the Psychopathy Checklist—revised. For example, he mentions that he constantly changes jobs, and he quickly gets bored, which can speak of item 3: need for stimulation/proneness to boredom. Estu also talks about some of the signs of compulsions, such as having to move his leg before going to sleep or lick his palm and touch his ankle, which could be related to item 10: poor behavioral controls. The problems he describes related to his work could also be item 14: impulsivity, or item 13: lack of realistic long-term goals.
Speaking of the culture-bound disorder, bouffée délirante is applicable and refers to a sudden outburst of agitated and aggressive behavior, marked confusion, and psychomotor excitement. It may sometimes be accompanied by visual and auditory hallucinations or paranoid ideation (Castagnini & Berrios, 2022).
Estu uses formal and informal interventions to help himself get better. He mentions that he enjoys making music, which is the only thing he doesn’t find boring and makes him feel better. This can be considered an art therapy intervention, which is an evidence-based practice in the treatment of mental disorders. The same applies to graffiti, which he draws on the walls. The informal interventions he refers to help himself get better include seeking help from healers. This, in the context of cultural differences, is also a kind of therapy, as he talks to them about his problems, about what worries him, and seeks support. This approach, although informal, is in line with his emotion-focused coping method.
Estu experiences prejudice from others concerning his psychological problems. One of the specific instances of stigma more common in individualistic American culture is the condemnation and misunderstanding of his wife. She is certainly experiencing serious hardship and deterioration in her quality of life due to his problems and even talks about her own suicidal thoughts. She is aware of his psychological problems and does not separate his personality from the symptoms of his illness. Another example of stigma, more common in collectivistic Javanese culture, is associated with a man who calls Estu a psychopath and asks a journalist if he is a psychopath in his understanding. Esau may have ultimately come to terms with the cultural ideals of his people. Without the attentive and caring effort to follow this case over seven years, there would not have been this remarkable testament to the ability of communication and trust to foster healing. These documentarians did an important job of telling this case.
Reference
Castagnini, A. C., & Berrios, G. E. (2022). Conceptual Issues in Acute and Transient Psychotic Disorders. Psychopathology, 55(1), 10-15. Web.
Lemelson, R. (2010). Family Victim: The “Bad Coconut” of a Javanese Fam [Film]. Elemental Productions.