Krankheitsbewältigung bei Menschen mit Migrationshintergrund im Kontext von Kultur und Religion

Subtitle: Coping with illness among migrants – the role of culture and religion

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Brzoska, Patrick | Razum, Oliver

Note: [] Korrespondenzadresse: Prof. Dr. med. Oliver Razum, MSc, Abt. Epidemiologie & International Public Health, Fakultät für Gesundheitswissenschaften, Postfach 10 01 31, 33501 Bielefeld. E-Mail: oliver.razum@unibielefeld.de

Abstract: Immigrants, as compared to the native German population, differ in their health behavior and health care usage. Aside from social factors, culture and religion play an important role. They influence the perceived meaning and the appraisal of a disease as well as the choice of coping strategies. This can be related to a reduced access to health care. Taking Turkish-Muslim and Kurdish-Yezidi patients as an example, we show the need for health care that is sensitive to religion and culture. A huge heterogeneity as regards culture and religion is evident even within single nationality groups. Thus, health care needs can also differ between people originating from the same country. Current models for coping strategies among patients do not sufficiently consider culture and religion in the context of migration. We describe how illness perceptions and health behaviors are influenced by these constructs and derive implications for the health care of immigrants and cultural minorities. If cultural and religious characteristics are considered in clinical practice as part of a diversity management, health care can be provided according to the patients' needs.

Keywords: Coping with illness, culture, religion, migrants

Journal: Zeitschrift für Medizinische Psychologie, vol. 18, no. 3-4, pp. 151-161, 2009