ANSWER
Nursing’s Cultural Aspects: Irish-American, Amish, and Cuban-American Communities
In order to provide different populations with care that is sensitive to their cultural background, nurses are essential. Nurses can customize interventions to advance health equality and patient happiness by having a thorough understanding of the cultural variations among Cuban-American patients, the particular requirements of Amish customers, and the etiological reasons causing alcoholism in Irish-American families.
Disparities Between Cuban-American Patients Who Came to the United States at Various Times
Different Cuban-Americans who arrived in the US at different times have diverse political, social, and cultural traits. Their contacts with the healthcare system and their health views are influenced by these disparities.
Waves of Immigration and Cultural Views
Prior to 1959, a large number of Cuban immigrants fled the Cuban Revolution for political reasons, and many of them were wealthier and more educated. They tend to trust institutional institutions, especially health care, and have a tendency to integrate into American society more readily (Zayas & Morales, 2020).
Refugees escaping communist authority were included in the post-revolutionary immigrant group (1960s–1980s), many of whom endured severe mental and financial hardship. Instead of seeing health care as preventive care, they can see it as a resource to be used in times of need.
Recent Immigrants (1990s–Present): These people may have limited access to resources and have language problems, and they frequently migrate in search of economic opportunities. In keeping with traditional Cuban family relations, recent immigrants may put their immediate family needs ahead of their own health care.
Health Literacy and Language
Recent immigrants who may not speak English well frequently face language problems. Even if they immigrated decades ago, older Cuban-Americans may still prefer to speak Spanish, which may make it harder for them to understand medical instructions.
Beliefs in Health
Older or more recent immigrants may have more traditional Cuban health views, such as dependence on folk treatments or “santería,” a syncretic religion. When feasible, nurses should investigate these methods and include them into care plans.
Culturally Appropriate Treatment for Amish Patients
The Amish people follow a traditional way of life that emphasizes faith, simplicity, and distancing themselves from contemporary culture. These cultural quirks need to be addressed by nurses who care for Amish patients:
Observe modesty and privacy
Nurses should protect privacy during examinations and treatments because Amish clientele appreciate modesty. Care providers may be preferred based on their gender.
Allow for Religious Activities
The importance of prayer and faith in the Amish healing process should be understood by nurses. It can be helpful to provide a peaceful area for spiritual pursuits or to host church leaders’ visits.
Make Communication Easier
Medical terminology is not well known to many Amish people. Nurses should steer clear of medical jargon and speak in plain, uncomplicated terms. Including family members in conversations could enhance comprehension and compliance with care plans.
Food Preferences
During hospital stays, Amish patients may favor simple, unrefined meals and frequently eat home-cooked or prepared items. In order to accommodate these preferences, nurses should speak with the dietary staff.
Irish-American Family Alcoholism Etiological Factors
Due to a mix of hereditary and cultural reasons, alcoholism has historically been more common in Irish-American households.
Cultural Standards
Irish culture is strongly rooted in alcohol usage, which is frequently connected to social events, festivities, and stress alleviation. Alcohol becomes a socially acceptable coping strategy for emotional difficulties for a large number of Irish-American families (Higley et al., 2020).
Genetic Propensity
Research indicates that people of Irish heritage may be genetically predisposed to alcoholism. Gene variations that impact reward systems and alcohol metabolism may make people more susceptible to dependency (Edenberg & Foroud, 2013).
Transmission Across Generations
Because of acquired habits, familial norms, and environmental pressures, patterns of alcohol use and abuse frequently endure between generations. Addiction risk in families may be increased by this cycle.
In conclusion
Understanding the various needs and experiences of patients from various backgrounds is essential to providing treatment that is culturally sensitive. Nurses must take into account the health beliefs and immigration histories of Cuban-American patients. Amish customers gain from accommodations that honor their communication preferences, religious customs, and modesty. Nurses can address these issues with empathy and customized interventions if they have a thorough understanding of the genetic and cultural factors that contribute to alcoholism in Irish-American families. Nurses can raise the standard of care and improve patient outcomes by cultivating cultural competence.
Citations
Foroud, T., and Edenberg, H. J. (2013). Alcoholism and genetics. Gastroenterology & Hepatology in Nature Reviews, 10(8), 487–494. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2013.83
Hasin, D. S., Potenza, M. N., and Higley, J. D. (2020). abuse and consumption of alcohol in various cultural situations. 301–313 in American Journal of Psychiatry, 177(4). 10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.19070692 https://doi.org
Morales, A., and L. H. Zayas (2020). A cultural viewpoint on health disparities among Cuban Americans. Ethnic Minority Psychology & Cultural Diversity, 26(3), 265–275. cdp0000371 https://doi.org/10.1037
QUESTION
- What are the differences that may affect Cuban-American patients who immigrated at different times?
- What can a nurse do to make life in the hospital more culture-specific for an Amish client?
- List at least two etiological reasons for the development of alcoholism within an Irish-American family.
Submission Instructions:
- Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted, and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources.