When healthcare professionals encounter a more acculturated Hmong family in the U.S., they will likely see more balance of power between mother and father. Patients then use the data forwarded to families and family members to come to a solid understanding of their health status. Islamic clergy can be regarded as vicar, master or guardian. It is a Muslim man, or woman, educated in Islamic theology and sacred law. Cultural factors that can influence family planning discussions and decisions include gender role inequality, deference to family or physician authority, religious influences, belief that. This is based on the traditional idea that people should protect their personal and family honour by giving a public impression of dignity and integrity. Get a downloadable, printable version that you can read later. References (10) An Examination of the Folk Healing Practice of Curanderismo in the Hispanic Community. Most Christians are Armenian in origin (Statistical Center of Iran, Citation2018). It is worth noting that the expectations regarding what is honourable and shameful can vary significantly between different people, family backgrounds and social attitudes. Furthermore, ethnic minorities tend to have distinctive forms of social organisation that are sometimes more collectivistic. The study reveals, among others, the impact of cultural beliefs on certain religious coping methods, even among those who are not regarded as practicing Muslims. 6. While it borders seven different countries, the Iranian people do not seem to affiliate themselves with the Arab world; nor do they share much commonality with those in South/Central Asia. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To explore specific cultural and religious beliefs and values concerning death and dying, truth telling . Attributions and adjustment by cancer patients, Attitude of patients living in Switzerland about cancer and its treatment, Positive psychology from Islamic perspective, Pilgrimage and its dual functions in Iranian Shiitsm, Beliefs about causes of cancer in cancer patients, Uppsala University, Department of Theology, The many methods of religious coping: Development and initial validation of the RCOPE. In an effort to study from a sociological perspective more closely the role of culture in cancer patients meaning-making coping methods, an international project has been conducted in 10 countries (Sweden, South Korea, China, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Portugal, Brazil, Turkey and Iran). Iran's unique history and geography translates to a diverse mix of cultural influences on the Persian cuisine. Cultural values are a culture's core beliefs about what's good or right. Dec 15, 2012. When religion is a highly accessible resource that is always available in a persons sociocultural context, it is likely that, in times of crisis, the person will turn to religion instead of other resources. whether for cultural or other non-therapeutic reasons. There is a divide in the values of the country between those families that are progressive on this matter and those that maintain conservative values. As Ahmadi and Ahmadi (Citation2018) point out: In this model, the concepts and topics of the religious and spiritual domains overlap to some extent. The results of the Pearson's correlation coefficient test indicated that there was no significant relationship between professional values and age (r = 0.03, p = 0.47), while there was a significant relationship between professional values and the GPA (r = 0.29, p = 0.003).This revealed that the students with higher GPA had higher scores in professional values. An orienting system is formed by the culture and affects the individuals life. 6. perceived barriers to health. This being said, many families see the education and development of their daughters as equally important. The concept of imamat is important to the Shiites.Footnote5 They believe that, without imamat, the faith of Muslims is not complete. This being said, most families seek to encourage individuals to be independent. In above citation, we see a passive approach to facing ones illness and totally relying on God. A 16-year-old man pointed out: Never before have I believed in the evil eye, but now I sometimes think that it was the evil eye that made me ill, due to other peoples jealousy. The participants confirmed large cultural differences in doctor-patient communication when encountering Iranian and Swedish patients. This is called Shafaah. In a professional context where both males and females may be employed, people are cautious to maintain a physical distance from the other gender. Illness is our fault; it is due to our bad habits and way of life. Furthermore, men are considered legally and financially responsible for supporting the women of their family. They were conducted face-to-face and in Persian; all interviews were audio-recorded and then transcribed verbatim. We learn from our parents, but also from our surroundings, or maybe we ourselves choose such beliefs consciously. Being struck by a serious illness like cancer can result in the loss of confidence and security in life. Deborah A. Boyle, RN, MSN. When an elder family members husband or wife dies, they will usually move into the house of one of their children. By establishing a relationship with another entity than her-/himself, the patient tries to gain comfort and control. Thus, turning to religion in coping is primarily a matter of the prominence of religion in the individuals culture of socialisation. Indeed, general society embraces science and development, and there seems to be a cultural consensus that Islamic principles do not necessarily contradict technological and scientific progress. Figure 1, presented by Ahmadi and Ahmadi (Citation2018), depicts the relation between religious, spiritual and secular existential coping observed in our project. The participants were recruited through a number of cancer treatment and rehabilitation centres in Tehran. 5 Here we refer to the real believers and not to the majority of Iranians who according to the law are regarded as Shiites. Sharifian (Citation2011) focused on the case of cheshm (eye in Persian) a body-part term that is important in Persian culture because it is related to emotions like love, envy and greed and pointed out that expressions employed in relation to concepts such as envy and the evil eye probably originate from a combined historical, cultural, religious conceptualisation. As people dont want to risk doing something shameful, they generally adhere to social expectations. Culture, a shared set of traditions, belief systems, and behaviors, is shaped by history, religion, ethnic identity, language, and nationality, among other factors. Today, the conservative interpretations of Islam have become a major social force and dictate much of what Iranians can and cannot do. Survey identifies health behaviors, challenges shared by Muslim community. The individual derives a social network and assistance in times of need from the family. Being a collectivist society, people in Iran show very strong loyalty to their family. It is in the remembrance of Allh alone that the hearts really find peace.Footnote3 Holy places may play the role of a safe haven in which one can experience peace and safety a place to freely discharge negative affects and emotions; this may be similar to the idea of catharsis. . Nonna Khakpour, Contributing Writer, The Trauma and Mental Health Report. Culture impacts the way a person views life, values, social norms, and other aspects that constitute daily life, including health and diseases. Because Iran is largely a desert, however, the ideal open space is a culturally constructed spacea garden. interviewed women who visited the health care centers in Ahvaz, Iran, in an effort to understand the determinants of early marriage . Therefore, if Iranians go out with their girlfriend or boyfriend in public, they run the risk of being berated, reported on or even detained. 5 Spiritual Practices That Increase Well-Being. Rather, the distinctive Persian identity engenders a strong sense of pride and belonging among its people. The continuous presence of pre-Islamic, non-Muslim communities - such as Zoroastrians, Jews, and Christians - has served to accustom the population to non-Muslims participating in Iranian society. While some households may employ servants, others may struggle to put food on the table. The transcriptions were then coded, categorised, and thematised using a thematic analysis method. These relationships can provide support, guidance, employment opportunities or help navigating bureaucracies. The interviews were conducted from November 2017 through December 2017, and the transcription process was completed by February 2018. Traditions, cultural values, attitudes and behaviors help in children's rearing in the society and relays the family structure from generation to generation [ 7 ]. All research groups checked all interview drafts and verified all codes and categorizations. Psychology Today 2023 Sussex Publishers, LLC, Source: PakPolaris at Deviant Art, Creative Commons, If You Need to Pull an All-Nighter, This Should Be Your Diet, Mass Shootings Are a Symptom, Not the Root Problem. They are also sometimes taught early that the protection of family honour also resides with them. Iran recognises Zoroastrian, Jewish, and Christian religious minorities, among others. The holy places may also function as reminders of God; Islamic/Quranic teachings argue that remembrance of Allah leads to peace and satisfaction: Those who believe and whose hearts find peace in the remembrance of Allh. It is common for Iranians to refer to themselves as Persian, which carries the association and prestige of the historical empire.1 The Iranian culture and people have a history of being one of the most progressive in the Middle East. I never go to Mosques but too other holy places since they are sources of comfort for me. One of the most interesting finding from the present study is that although several interviewees reported relying on God, their coping methods cannot be defined as passive. The researchers have a continued commitment to the research areas. Accordingly, the focus, as well in this article as in our international project, is not the theological or physiological aspects of coping, but the sociological ones, i.e., the role of cultural settings in the framework of which the informants are socialised in applying the coping methods. By the likes of tall poppy syndrome, people are expected to be humble and unassuming about themselves. It would seem reasonable to assume that religion is more accessible to individuals whose orientation system is greatly marked by religion. Illness may be considered a product of Gods will, and thus accepted or as in the story of Job viewed as educational theodicy (Dein & Stygall, Citation1997). Cultural is a comprehensive concept that contains children's states of health, illness, and well-being. This ensures that the households name is not implicated with trouble and their honour is protected. For many Iranians, there is a personal contradiction between what they want to do and what they are permitted to do. This means women commonly get passed over for jobs, earn less and receive lower allowances as it is expected that their male family member will support them. Nahals silence about her mental illness also relates to a worry that shell be forced to resume antidepressant medication, which she took prior to pregnancy. We use cookies to improve your website experience. Their stable meal mainly comprises of larger amount of grains especially rice, fruits and vegetables with small amounts of read meat. Table 1 shows the demographic characteristics of the informants. Twenty-seven participants with various kinds of cancer were interviewed. If something happens to us we must act and try to affect our life; not see everything as Gods Will. In order to provide sensitive and culturally appropriate care, nurses should be aware of the general impact of cultural norms and values on the process of maternal role attainment and strive to meet the cultural needs of all mothers. In the current article, we present the results from our study in Iran, which looks at religious coping methods from a cultural perspective. such as religious beliefs, social norms, and family values. All people may gain the prestige of a familys success or bear the responsibility for a familys dishonour. I did Nazr without understanding why. Most Iranians seem to be unified across ethnic divides. Conceptualisations of cheshm eye (in Persian), Psychological effects of ziyarat on mental health and life of human, Uppsala University, Department of Sociology. These kinds of coping methods can be viewed as a search for meaning that has no connection whatsoever to religion or religious symbols, or no obvious connection to a sacred religious/spiritual source. Stigma surrounding psychological disorders in Iran often leads to isolation, as fear of judgment and ridicule creates barriers to pursuing treatment. In fact, there are just as many ways of being Iranian and religious, as there are Iranians. The perceived role of God in illness and recovery is a primary influence upon the health care beliefs and behaviors of American Muslims, a first-of-its-kind study has discovered. According to Majlesi (Citation1982) (a very important religious figure in Iran) (p. 209), the reward (savab) of pilgrimage of Imam Rezas tomb in Mashhad (Iran) is equal to one thousand hajes- pilgrim to Macca. Values are deeply embedded and critical for transmitting and teaching a culture's beliefs. The term "family values" has become a popular phrase in recent years. The concepts and topics of spirituality and secular meaning-making coping also overlap, but there is no overlap between secular and religious concepts and topics. To be able to appreciate other cultures' health values, beliefs, and behaviors, increased cultural c They are beliefs, ideas, and principles that are specific to your home and how it functions. Family roles and dynamics vary significantly between those households that have progressive understandings of womens rights, authority and privacy and those that maintain traditional values. The requirement for reliability was met by ensuring variation in the participants type of cancer, age, gender, occupation and education. Despite the firmly entrenched reach of the Islamic Republic, Iranians generally discuss politics with vigour. So I accepted it and was happy with it. Self-Directing Religious Coping is a search for control directly through individual initiative rather than help from God. People also read lists articles that other readers of this article have read. Look! Nevertheless, while politics is commonly ridiculed, most people are very reluctant to criticise Islam both from a social standpoint and a moral/theological perspective. The results were part of a larger study in which the purpose was to understand nurses' experiences of delivery of care for Iraqi patients. I remembered we had learned during the religious lessons at school that the first chapter of the Quran that was sent to the Prophet was Recite. Then Recite became the core of my meditations and illustrations. Family values are important to the structure and well-being of the family. It is a country with a rich history and unique culture. Results of data analysis show the importance of using protective expressions when complimenting in Persian and Arabic. Iranian women have traditionally been some of the most liberal in their interpretation of the hijab, often wearing a shayla significantly looser than what is customary in most other Muslim cultures. I should make myself a better person. The concept of orientation system concerns the ways in which culture influences peoples lives. Rice and fresh unleavened or semi leavened whole-grain bread are staple starches. The Five Key Religious Functions that constitute the basis of RCOPE were used to categorise these methods. Eyes, although tremendously important in sexual and affectional relations, are also regarded an important body part because they can attract evil. At first glance, public behaviour in Iran is generally conservative. Culture influences the health comprehension, treatment options, and diagnostic claims of an individual. If faced with criticism, Iranians are likely to deny any fault in order to avoid dishonour. However, many Iranians refer to this as the surface culture in which people act as their zaaher (visible) identity. In Nigeria, the core traditional values have been debased at the modern era. After the coding process was complete, we established the fundamental characteristics of the methods the informants employed to cope with their cancer disease. I told the nurse to bring me a Quran. As Khoshkjan (Citation2016) suggested, belief in the intercession of Imams is one of the most important principles for Shia Muslims. Generally, young adults hide the existence of their girlfriend or boyfriend from their parents (especially the father) until they have ascertained that their relationship will lead to marriage. Robert T. Muller, Ph.D., is a professor of psychology at York University, and the author of the book Trauma and the Avoidant Client. Most Iranian expats living in Australia are likely to have a more progressive understanding of womens rights as many arrive fleeing the harsh policies of the Iranian government. While some households may employ servants, others may struggle to put food on the table. Collaborative religious coping refers to a search for control through a partnership with God. However, in 1979, the Islamic Revolution overthrew the secular monarchy and the Islamic Republic was subsequently established. The study offers nurses empirical data to help shape conversations about end-of-life care, and thus to enhance their commitment to help people 'die well'. Italian Culture and Its Impact on the World. I think one thing that helped me was to walk this path alone. Recommended articles lists articles that we recommend and is powered by our AI driven recommendation engine. (p. 138). Patient-centered care implies involving family members and incorporating care tailored to the patient's culture. Here believing in the evil eye was in focus. Chief Editor: Robert T. Muller, The Trauma and Mental Health Report. Examples include post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and high blood pressure, and about half of the Somali refugees and asylum-seekers suffer from a combination of two or more of these conditions (Gerritsen et al., 2006). The quotes used in this part, which were recorded in Persian, have been translated into English. (Bhardwaj, Citation1998, p. 72). Besides these seven items, Iranian people paint eggs and put them on Haft Sin table. Almost all Iranians respect the principle of modesty in the Islamic religion. I strongly believe in it because it is carved into my bones. Culture is one of the most important factors affecting the development of motherhood in Iran. culture and values, Nigerians progressively imbibed the white-men's way of life and values (Nwabuisi, 2000). There remains a great deal of protection around girls in this regard. A fatalistic attitude about sickness may make Asian patients/families seem resigned to their situation. The present article is based on an international study on meaning-making coping aimed at understanding the role of culture in coping. Elderly parents are dependent on adult children and grandchildren. When Nahal is told shes had a miscarriage, instead of seeking support from her familywho have, in the past, refused to recognize her struggle with depressionshe keeps the news to herself, leading to desperation. Debase, We recognise that personal beliefs and cultural practices are central to the lives of doctors and patients, and that all doctors have personal values that affect their day-to-day practice. Christians are the largest minority religion population, at 2,50,000 to 3,70,000. Religious actions are integrated parts of the everyday life of people in Muslim countries, including Iran. Ultimately, a womans independence and freedom to make choices for herself (i.e. Self-directing religious coping: A deistic god, abandoning god, or no god at all? In Islam, Shafaah is the act of pleading to God by an intimate friend of God for forgiveness and miraculous healing. The study highlights the importance of investigating cultural and social context when exploring the use of the meaning-making coping strategies in different countries. Permission will be required if your reuse is not covered by the terms of the License. For example, the younger Iranian generation generally do not feel the need to stringently apply the honour code and will often hide certain shameful actions they consider reasonable from the older generations, who might be deeply offended by such behaviours. In first interactions with a stranger on the street, one may find that a taxi driver is, in fact, an expert on architecture, or a colleague can explain the complex history of countries theyve never visited. Iranian nurses revealed a unique and culture-based set of ethical values. As the present findings show, the RCOPE methods appear to be of great importance to the Iranian interviewees. I believe God wanted to warn me with illness and maybe death to change my life and be a better person. These values define what is meaningful to your familythe beliefs and ideas that bind your family together. Seven major themes emerged: respect for dignity, professional integrity, professional commitment, developing human relationships, justice, honesty, and promoting individuals and the nursing profession. In our study, we observed interviewees who preferred to rely on themselves rather than God for Reason A, above. Couples tend to only have one to two children. As Willander (Citation2014, p. 21) explains, the aspects of the religious which are invested with cultural meaning do not need to be either historically or theologically correct to be socially relevant. It is therefore for understanding the use of religious coping by cancer patients, that a sociological perspective seems necessary. Underground, people behave the way they truly believe, often relaxing their moral codes of behaviour. They ensure civil law and court decisions abide by the principles of Islam, and are generally highly conservative. It is uncommon for people to overtly express themselves or publicly identify with unconventional subcultures or hobbies. However, as men dominate the public sphere and hold more decision-making power, womens authority is mostly limited to the domestic space. , Iranians generally discuss politics with vigour themselves rather than help from God Robert T. Muller the. 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