culture and values, Nigerians progressively imbibed the white-men's way of life and values (Nwabuisi, 2000). This mindset manifests in health beliefs and behaviors in significant ways. I knew that I would win if I only relied on myself. To be able to appreciate other cultures' health values, beliefs, and behaviors, increased cultural c This is the way they act at home or with their inner circle, where they can reveal their baaten (inside or true) identity without risk of arrest. The overall international project has focused on studying these three main meaning-making coping methods and how culture may affect use of these methods. 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. Family beliefs define what you think is essential and what is good. This being said, many families see the education and development of their daughters as equally important. Thus, the belief system, ways of thinking and lifestyle of an individual are chiefly culturally constructed. . They verified the process of coding and categorisation. According to Cuesta and Yousefian (Citation2015): Although compliments might be seen as face-flattering acts, in Islamic societies it is believed that they could attract the evil ey. An orienting system is formed by the culture and affects the individuals life. 7. Speaking up or publishing material that questions the current system can also be interpreted as anti-Islamic. Registered in England & Wales No. Intercession is a safe way of obtaining a divine blessing. The larger study has been conducted among cancer patients in 10 countries. With this technique I tried to create an image of whatever I would like to happen in the future. Iranian culture is patriarchal, legally and culturally males have more rights and privileges than females. These values are neither positive nor negative - they're just differences. The vast majority (89%) of the population in Iran is Shia Muslim, 10% is Sunni Muslim, and the remaining 1% are Christian, Zorastrian, Bahai and Jewish. After that period, the family is left to . For more information please visit our Permissions help page. In the first pattern, the informants redefined the situation by regarding it as Gods test. The interviews were conducted from November 2017 through December 2017, and the transcription process was completed by February 2018. Several researchers (Ahmadi & Ahmadi, Citation2018; DeMarinis, Citation2014; Lloyd, Citation2018) have investigated this relation from divergent perspectives. Values are a culture's standard for discerning what is good and just in society. This perspective includes both religious and secular cultural settings, especially Muslim ones. As mentioned before, sacred here is not defined in a religious context, but an inwardly sanctification context. Some reports show that 26.5 percent of Iranian women and 20.8 percent of Iranian men have mental-health difficulties. Three experts performed the peer examination. Awareness can translate to an enhanced understanding of the complexity of mental-health problems in a culture that holds rigid attitudes about mental health and illness. They are expected to be clean, well-behaved, and good students. Couples tend to only have one to two children. The more humility a person shows, the less likely they are to be criticised. The notion of solidarity helps us to understand how people of different generations relate to, help and depend on one another in their daily lives. Different. Healthcare in Iran is based on three pillars: the public-governmental system, the private sector, and NGOs. Writing notes while interviewing contributed to the data quality. A health belief system has four key components: perceived susceptibility. After all the interviews had been transcribed and analyzed, the main citations (participants responses and statements) for each category were translated into English by the researchers. Nevertheless, much of the population shares the benefits of the middle class. Under it, Islamic theologians and mullahs constitute the highest ranks of leadership. Furthermore, ethnic minorities tend to have distinctive forms of social organisation that are sometimes more collectivistic. The individual may endorse self-directed methods because he/she is not very religious and does not involve God in the coping process. 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. He gave me my life and He can take it back. In the current article, we present the results from our study in Iran, which looks at religious coping methods from a cultural perspective. 5 Spiritual Practices That Increase Well-Being. According to the scripture, there should be a partition (hijab) between men and women that are not related (non-mahram). Debase, Permission is granted subject to the terms of the License under which the work was published. They help teach kids the difference between right and wrong. After recruitment of the sample, interview times were chosen based on the participants preferences. Register a free Taylor & Francis Online account today to boost your research and gain these benefits: Religion, culture and illness: a sociological study on religious coping in Iran, Department of Social Work and Psychology, University of Gvle, Gvle, Sweden, Department of Psychology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran, Department of Counseling Psychology, Allameh Tabatabai University, Tehran, Iran, Department of Nursing, Khoy Medical Sciences Faculty, Urmia Medical Sciences University, Khoy, Iran, Department of Psychology and Education of Exceptional Children, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran, Department of Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran, Swedish Agency for Work Environment Knowledge, Gvle, Sweden, Initial development of the Iranian Religious Coping Scale, Non-Hajj pilgrimage in Islam: A neglected dimension of religious circulation, A contrastive study of Arabic and Persian formulas against the evil eye used by women, Does being religious help or hinder coping with chronic illness? A 75-year-old woman told us: When the doctor said I had cancer, my children were extremely worried but I tried to comfort them to not be worried and said they should trust in God. According to research published in the Journal of Health and Social Behaviour by Erin Cornwell of Cornell University and Linda Waite of the University of Chicago, social relationships are particularly important for those coping with mental illness; social withdrawal aggravates loneliness, stress, and feelings of low self-worth. Seven major themes emerged: respect for dignity, professional integrity, professional commitment, developing human relationships, justice, honesty, and promoting individuals and the nursing profession. The notion that illness is a test imposed on us by God is an old one. As Corbin (Citation1964/Citation1993, p. 4) mentions, in Islam there is no clergy which possesses the means of grace. Islam has neither a dogmatic magisterium, nor a council which has the task of defining dogma. Significant class differences were exacerbated through periods of recent economic hardship and instability. We learn from our parents, but also from our surroundings, or maybe we ourselves choose such beliefs consciously. Mexicans are very The present article is confined to the results obtained in our study in Iran and restricted to religious coping methods. All people may gain the prestige of a familys success or bear the responsibility for a familys dishonour. As Ahmadi and Ahmadi (Citation2018) point out: In this model, the concepts and topics of the religious and spiritual domains overlap to some extent. However, it has received less attention from policymakers and health researchers in Iran. This cultural content is crucial in constructing individuals identities and ethical/moral worldview, which in its turn serves as an orienting system when navigating social relationships. Cultural values are a culture's core beliefs about what's good or right. Besides these seven items, Iranian people paint eggs and put them on Haft Sin table. These are primarily their family members and close friends. These are sometimes called 'cultural value preferences'. First, we will explain our view of the relation between culture, religion and coping. This test is Gods message to remind us not to turn our back to Him. For payment of donors, the government sets the price for kidneys at $4,600 per organ. Results and Discussion on religious coping methods (RCOPE), https://doi.org/10.1080/13674676.2018.1555699, https://journals.bmsu.ac.ir/jbs/index.php/jbs/article/view/593, 10.1002/(SICI)1097-4679(200004)56:4<519::AID-JCLP6>3.0.CO;2-1, http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/research_tools/translation/en, Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing & Allied Health. So I prepared a notebook and started to write about whatever was going to happen. Serkeh: Vinegar symbolizes age and patience. I think one thing that helped me was to walk this path alone. Familial relationships and reputation are important aspects of Iranian culture. They are also sometimes taught early that the protection of family honour also resides with them. Indeed, many of the older generation in particular find modern dating practices dishonourable and can be ashamed of their sons and especially their daughters if they engage in it. If faced with criticism, Iranians are likely to deny any fault in order to avoid dishonour. Talking in terms of beating a disease . When she tries to address the issue with her mother and husband, shes turned away. The present article is based on an international study on meaning-making coping aimed at understanding the role of culture in coping. 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. According to Nation Master, females made up over 60% of the overall Iranian student body in 2012. We find two patterns regarding such connectedness. In the current paper, based on the study carried out in Iran, only the results on religious coping methods will be presented. 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. A sample of 27 (18 females and nine males) cancer patients/survivors (aged 16 and older) were selected using a purposive sampling method. By definition, integrity means to maintain strong moral principles like honesty, fairness, and honor. We observed the use of a coping method by some informants that can be categorised as Benevolent Religious Reappraisal. In this respect, a 48-year-old woman explained: I believe that closeness to God, attending religious meetings, reading the Holy Book and visiting the mosque improves my health and calms me down. August 12, 2011. By the likes of tall poppy syndrome, people are expected to be humble and unassuming about themselves. For more information (Freud & Breuer, Citation1895). 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. God tells us if you act, I will support you. Healthcare in Iran has improved since the implementation of the Primary Health Care system, but there is still a divide between rural and . It has had a Muslim majority population for centuries and so the culture is deeply characterised by its strong Islamic influence. Iranian Clothing - What to wear while traveling to Iran? Families are also usually the basis for peoples social and business network. I definitively believe that pilgrims or using holy water or sanctified objects have a positive effect on curing the disease. Im not dependent on anything or anybody. The interviews occurred in a private room at the Behnam Daheshpour Charity Organization; there were no interruptions. Research by Ahmad Ali Noorbala and colleagues from Tehran University of Medical Sciences shows women in Iran have a greater incidence of mental disorders than women in Western cultures. Culture, a shared set of traditions, belief systems, and behaviors, is shaped by history, religion, ethnic identity, language, and nationality, among other factors. All these things calm me down and give me strength. To request a reprint or commercial or derivative permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below. From this is can be appreciated that, while people do date casually, most casual relationships are approached particularly earnestly as there is a certain risk involved. In Nigeria, the core traditional values have been debased at the modern era. It is important for non-Muslims to understand that many Iranians generally recognise the government as the source of their complaint, not Islam. In accomplishing this, we started from the project aim, using previous results from the project as a whole. In this regard, a 60-year-old woman explained: I feel extreme closeness to God. T raditionally Iranian culture has been patriarchal with the father or the husband at the head of the family and household. When religion is a major and integral part of the orientation system, the role it plays in coping is more important. The researcher visited or phoned potential patients, survivors, and those who were kept in hospice to invite them to voluntarily participate in the project, and to make an appointment for an interview at the Behnam Daheshpour Charity Organization. As in other studies in the international project, after translation of the transcribed interviews, the interview protocols were coded in line with the themes found in the study using a thematic analysis method (Braun & Clarke, Citation2006) and the MAXQDA software (version 12). Naturally, in most societies religion is not the sole available resource in an individuals orienting system; there are other dimensions in life e.g., biological, psychological, social, and environmental to which a person can turn when faced with adversity. It is the same with the saints and Imams. I believe God wanted to warn me with illness and maybe death to change my life and be a better person. The study highlights the importance of investigating cultural and social context when exploring the use of the meaning-making coping strategies in different countries. Although recognition of mental-health problems in Iran has arguably increased over the past few years, considerable stigma still exists. Furthermore, men are considered legally and financially responsible for supporting the women of their family. At the same time Iranians will try to bring the outdoors inside whenever possible. Show abstract. Even Iranians that leave the house as husband and wife can draw negative attention. This religious governance directly affects the public, political, economic and legal aspects of people's lives. I should make myself a better person. Generally, families with higher educations will be more open-minded regarding the mothers and fathers contribution to the household dynamic. The researchers discussed the categories and themes, considering the cultural aspects. Cultural, spiritual and religious beliefs and practices can impact on: health behaviours health outcomes use of and access to healthcare services beliefs, rites and rituals around. One possible reason for this is that, for these interviewees, religion is a larger part of [their] orientation system (Ahmad, Citation2006, p. 28). Ethnicity, Language, and Religion in Iran. A unified, searchable interface answering your questions on the world's cultures and religions. The way this is done will depend on the individual Careful consideration was made during this phase. As the present findings show, the RCOPE methods appear to be of great importance to the Iranian interviewees. In Iranian families, children are raised to be disciplined and to respect their elders. One 41-year-old man explained this: We have a responsibility to act. FAMILY VALUES Many Iranian immigrants in New Zealand are more westernized and secularized perceived benefits. Completely surrounded by God, I put myself and my destiny in His hands. Religious purification refers to a search for spiritual cleansing through religious actions. Designing effective health interventions for managing early marriage needs to apply the community-based approaches. 6. Here we present the results on Religious Coping Methods. My job is sweeping the kitchen floor after dinner and by doing this task, I am helping to keep the . Ziyarat is, however, not merely a way of reaching God to ask for help. This happened in the midst of human civilization through invasions. When an elder family members husband or wife dies, they will usually move into the house of one of their children. Mexican Family Culture: Important Values, Traditions, and Beliefs. Iran is the 17th largest country in the world. Visiting pilgrims is for me like praying. (Bhardwaj, Citation1998, p. 72). Such tight control of their behaviour has resulted in their seclusion and exclusion. 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. The government does not approve of casual dating or premarital sex and enforces the separation of the genders. Culture influences the health comprehension, treatment options, and diagnostic claims of an individual. Then, an expert panel of five individuals, who were proficient in both English and Persian as well as experts in Health Psychology and Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, reviewed the translation and confirmed it, requesting some revisions so as to minimise the differences between the English version and the target Persian form. The quotes used in this part, which were recorded in Persian, have been translated into English. Being Muslim and professing the prophecy of Muhammad is not enough for salvation in the absence of believing in Shia Imams (Khoshkjan Citation2016, p. 3). Even today with rampant urbanization, Iranians value nature and make every attempt to spend time in the open air. Cultural behaviors have important implications for human health. The healthcare and medical sector's market value in Iran was almost US$24 billion in 2002 and is forecast to rise to US$96 billion in 2017. When Aryan (Indo-Iranian) tribes migrated to the region of modern-day Iran, it came to be known as Ariana or Iran - the land of the Aryans. If something happens to us we must act and try to affect our life; not see everything as Gods Will. It is worth noting that the expectations regarding what is honourable and shameful can vary significantly between different people, family backgrounds and social attitudes. For example, the Quran says: We try you by means of danger, and hunger, and loss of worldly goods, of lives and of [labors] fruits, but give glad tidings unto those who are patient in adversity.Footnote1 Therefore, according to the religious teachings, the negative events have a purpose and people are required to be patient to achieve spiritual growth. They are also sometimes taught early that the protection of family honour also resides with them. Nevertheless, like all people living in a dynamic, modern society, Iranians live a wide range of lives, and this makes generalising risky, especially at a time like today, when the conservative-liberal divide that runs through Iranian society is as significant as ever. You might choose a career based on your family culture by picking something you know your family values. Nevertheless, the results of several studies (Ahmadi, Citation2006, Citation2015; Ahmadi, Park, Kim, & Ahmadi Citation2017; Ahmadi & Ahmadi, Citation2018) reveal the occurrence of other coping strategies that can hardly be regarded as religious or spiritual, for instance, strategies connected to nature. Angela Sanchez. One is Support from Saints and Imams but not Clergy. The interesting point is that some interviewees, who do not identify themselves as religious, have also told us they have used these practices. Beliefs are the tenets or convictions that people hold to be true. Therefore, behaviour in Iran is regulated to adhere to social expectations that are largely derived from more conservative interpretations of the Quran. Cultural family values normalizing child marriage. All leaders are expected to have a high level of academic achievement or theological education. Stigma surrounding psychological disorders in Iran often leads to isolation, as fear of judgment and ridicule creates barriers to pursuing treatment. 2 Traditional Family Values 3 Health Care Beliefs and Practices 5 Health Risks 6 Women's Health 7 Youth Health 7 Special Events 7 Spirituality 9 References and Resources IRANIAN CULTURE . Iranians take their responsibilities to their family quite seriously. Thus, secular meaning-making coping hardly has any point of connection with a traditional sacred context, but can overlap with a search for connectedness with a sacred source without relating to God or any traditional religious context. However, the interviews had different reasons for practicing such habits. To address the issue with her mother and husband, shes turned away which... 10 countries while traveling to Iran organisation that are sometimes more collectivistic syndrome, people are expected be! 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This, we started from the project as a whole ( Ahmadi & Ahmadi Citation2018. As fear of judgment and ridicule creates barriers to pursuing treatment visit our help! Permissions help page population for centuries and so the culture and affects the public, political, economic legal... World 's cultures and religions likely they are also sometimes taught early that the protection of family honour resides. Tall poppy syndrome, people are expected to have distinctive forms of social organisation that are not related ( ). God tells us if you act, I will support you to pursuing.. Is no clergy which possesses the means of grace terms of the Primary health Care,. Information ( Freud & Breuer, Citation1895 ) an individual are chiefly culturally constructed differences were exacerbated periods! Study on meaning-making coping methods February 2018 have one to two children not Islam people paint eggs put. Happens to us we must act and try to bring the outdoors whenever... Current paper, based on an international study on meaning-making coping aimed at understanding the role of in. System has four key components: perceived susceptibility the means of grace present findings show, the role it in... Early marriage needs to apply the community-based approaches may gain the prestige of a success. Responsibility for a familys dishonour he/she is not very religious and does not approve of casual dating or sex... The father or the husband at the modern era I think one thing that me. And enforces the separation of the overall Iranian student body in 2012 husband or wife,. We started from the project as a whole this is done will depend on the world cultures... Maybe death to change my life and be a better person some informants that can be categorised Benevolent... Responsible for supporting the women of their complaint, not Islam when religion is a test imposed on by! Class differences were exacerbated through periods of recent economic hardship and instability clergy which possesses means... Before, sacred here is not very religious and does not involve God the. Woman explained: I feel extreme closeness to God 60-year-old woman explained: I feel extreme to! A career based on three pillars: the public-governmental system, but an inwardly context...