2 - Cultural Assessment

socialization / enculturation

the process of being raised within a culture and acquiring the norms, values, and behaviors of that group

ethnicity

a social group that may possess shared traits, such as a common geographic origin, migratory status, religion, language, values, traditions or symbols, and food preferences

ethnic identity

one’s self-identification with a particular ethnic group

acculturation

the process of adopting the culture and behavior of the majority culture

assimilation

an immigrant taking on the characteristics of the dominant culture

acculturative stress

the losses and changes that occur when adjusting to or integrating a new system of beliefs, routines, and social roles

spirituality

a broader term focused on a connection to something larger than oneself and a belief in transcendence

religion

an organized system of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, as well as the attendance of regular services

health

the balance of the person, both within one’s being (physical, mental, or spiritual) and in the outside world (natural, communal, or metaphysical)

biomedical / scientific theory

the assumption that all events in life have a cause and effect which holds that microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses cause specific disease conditions

naturalistic / holistic perspective

the belief that human life is only one aspect of nature and a part of the general order of the cosmos

yin / yang theory

the statement that all organisms and objects in the universe consist of yin and yang energy forces

hot / cold theory

an explanatory model with origins in the ancient Greek humoral theory (blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile) consisting of adding or subtracting cold, heat, dryness, or wetness to restore the balance of the humors

magicoreligious perspective

the belief in supernatural or spiritual causes of illness

cultural awareness

the understanding of a different culture

cultural humility

the recognition of the value and worth in other beliefs

cultural sensibility

the deliberate proactive behavior by health care providers who examine cultural situations through thoughtful reasoning, responsiveness, and discreet interactions

FICA Spiritual History Tool

a guide that stands for faith, importance/influence, community, and address/action for fostering open dialogue and not as a checklist of questions to ask a patient