c7 culture

Culture

Shared beliefs, knowledge, and behavior of a community that set expectations for behavior and direct how members think, communicate, and live together Ex. Different greetings across cultures reflect shared expectations.

Enculturation

Process of gradually integrating beliefs, characteristics, and behaviors of a specific culture into oneself through growth or exposure Ex. A child learning their family's language and traditions.

Ethnicity

Self-identification with a culture, often linked to shared ancestry or heritage, not interchangeable with race Ex. Identifying as Hispanic based on cultural traditions and ancestry.

Race

Grouping people based on physical characteristics, which can lead to oversimplifying diversity within and across cultures Ex. Labeling people solely by skin color overlooks cultural differences.

Bias

Favoring one thing, group, or person over another in an unfair way Ex. Preferring one applicant over another based on stereotypes without facts.

Prejudice

An unfair opinion or feeling about someone or a group before truly knowing them Ex. Believing negative traits about a culture without meeting anyone from it.

Stereotype

A simple and often incorrect idea about a group based on appearance or behavior Ex. Assuming all elderly people are bad with technology.

Values and Beliefs

Ideas and things that are important to someone and help decide what's right or wrong Ex. Believing honesty is essential guides telling the truth even when it's hard.

Religion

Organized beliefs, practices, rituals, and symbols associated with a higher power and shared within a group Ex. Christianity involving church services and baptism.

Faith

Trust or confidence in a higher power or spiritual belief system Ex. Believing a higher power is watching over you during tough times.

Spirituality

The search for meaning and purpose in life Ex. Finding personal peace through meditation and reflection.

Spiritual Care (when assessed)

Addressing spiritual needs depending on the individual's assessment findings Ex. Offering chaplain services to a hospitalized patient requesting prayer.

Spiritual Distress

Inability to reconcile or explain current life situation with spiritual beliefs Ex. A patient feeling abandoned by their faith after a serious diagnosis.

Rituals

Formal, established procedures and actions often tied to religious or cultural traditions Ex. Lighting candles during a religious ceremony.

Beliefs

Accepted truths or convictions that influence a person's thoughts, behaviors, and values Ex. Believing that kindness always leads to good outcomes.

Moral Distress

Feeling unable to act according to one's ethical beliefs due to external constraints, causing emotional discomfort Ex. A nurse feeling upset after following a medical order they believe is not in the patient's best interest.

Muslim

Male babies circumcised, avoid pork/gelatin (check insulin ingredients), left hand considered dirty (give meds with right), highest male is decision-maker, close-knit family, prefer same-sex nurse, lack of eye contact normal, no eye contact with opposite sex.

African American

Strong religious influence on health decisions, historical mistrust of healthcare system, extended family involved (matriarchs often lead), may prefer same-race or same-sex provider, past discrimination impacts care-seeking.

Amish

Isolated, tight-knit religious communities, avoid technology, father is decision-maker, average 7 children per family, use midwives/home births, folk medicine before Western care, avoid eye contact, prefer same-sex providers, minimal opposite-sex contact.

Chinese

Use Traditional Chinese Medicine (balance, energy flow focus), grandparents live with families, father or eldest son usually decision-maker (sometimes women in certain regions), tend to avoid eye contact, prefer same-sex nurse (but not always).

Japanese

Value group decisions, reluctant to give direct answers, favor Eastern medicine, multigenerational households, prefer same-sex nurse, avoid eye contact, value personal space, eldest male is decision-maker, nonverbal cues important for nurses.

Hispanic

Blend of traditional and Western medicine, view illness/pain as "God's will," may not report pain, patriarchal family roles, family > community, may lower gaze in deference to gender/authority/status, prefer same-sex nurse, eldest male is decision-maker.

Jewish

Preserving life is key, male babies circumcised, kosher/Sabbath rules may impact care (no pork, no meat/dairy mixing), strong family involvement, high respect for elders, rabbi consultations for decisions, normal eye contact but modesty may limit opposite-gender contact, prefer same-sex nurse.

Death

The end of life when the body stops working completely Ex. Heart and breathing permanently stop.

Grief

Deep sadness or sorrow felt after losing someone or something important Ex. Feeling overwhelming sadness after a loved one dies.

Loss

The experience of having something or someone taken away or no longer present Ex. Losing a pet and feeling emptiness at home.

Mourning

The actions or ways people show they are grieving, such as crying, wearing black, or attending a funeral Ex. Holding a memorial service to honor the deceased.

Denial

Refusing to believe the loss has happened, feeling numb or in shock Ex. "This can't be happening."

Anger

Feeling frustrated and helpless, blaming others or the situation Ex. "Why is this happening to me?"

Bargaining

Trying to make deals or promises to change the situation, often with a higher power Ex. "If I do everything right, maybe this won't be true."

Depression

Deep sadness, withdrawal from life, feeling overwhelmed by the loss Ex. Crying often and avoiding social activities.

Acceptance

Coming to terms with the loss, beginning to find ways to move forward Ex. "I miss them, but I am learning to live again."

Chronic Grief

Prolonged and intense grief that disrupts daily life and worsens over time, often needing professional help Ex. Parents grieving the death of a child for years without improvement. Symptoms: Persistent longing for deceased, emotional numbness, bitterness, insomnia, difficulty trusting others.

Delayed Grief

Grief reaction postponed to weeks, months, or years later, often triggered by an unrelated event Ex. Survivor of a natural disaster grieving a lost loved one months later. Symptoms: Sudden intense sadness, concentration issues, physical symptoms, guilt, emotional detachment.

Exaggerated Grief

Overwhelming grief with intense emotions, causing dysfunction in daily life Ex. A person experiencing panic attacks and substance abuse after a spouse's death. Symptoms: Substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, depressive episodes, inability to cope.

Masked Grief

Hidden grief where individuals seem unaffected but suppress emotions internally Ex. Someone smiling and working normally after a parent's death but feeling numb inside. Symptoms: Bottled emotions, inability to function well, lack of emotional expression.

Disenfranchised Grief

Grief not socially recognized, accepted, or openly mourned Ex. Mourning the loss of an ex-partner or patient. Symptoms: Isolation, feeling life isn't worth living, obsessive thoughts, avoiding places related to the loss.

Anticipatory Grief

Grieving a loss before it actually happens, common with terminal illnesses Ex. A daughter grieving her father's terminal cancer diagnosis before his death. Symptoms: Overwhelming sadness, trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, withdrawal. Stages: Acceptance, Reflection, Rehearsal, Imagining the Future.

Complicated Grief

Intense, prolonged grief that interferes with daily life and does not improve over time Ex. A person unable to move forward years after the death of a spouse. Symptoms: Persistent longing for deceased, emotional numbness, avoidance of reminders, anger, difficulty trusting others, physical issues like insomnia or fatigue.

Gender Role

Public presentation of gender identity through actions and words signaling male or female Ex. Wearing dresses or suits based on gender identity.

Sexual Orientation

Romantic, emotional, and sexual attraction to others Ex. Being attracted to men, women, or both.

Heterosexual

Attracted emotionally, romantically, or sexually to the opposite gender; use inclusive language like "partner" or "spouse" unless clarified Ex. Male patient married to a woman.

Homosexual

Attracted emotionally, romantically, or sexually to the same gender; use inclusive language, avoid biases and outdated terms Ex. Woman referring to her wife; nurse uses "partner" respectfully.

Bisexual

Attracted to both males and females; use inclusive language like "partner" or "significant other" Ex. Patient mentioning relationships with both men and women.

Intersex

Person born with physical sex characteristics that don't fit typical definitions of male or female bodies Ex. Baby born with both ovarian and testicular tissue.

Questioning

Person exploring or unsure about their gender identity or sexual orientation Ex. Teen unsure if they are gay, straight, or bisexual.

Transgender

Gender identity different from birth-recorded sex; gender-affirming care includes therapy, medications, or surgery to align body with gender identity Ex. Person assigned female at birth identifying as male and pursuing hormone therapy.