Asian and Russian Heritage and Health Beliefs

Cultural Group: Asian American

A Brief History of the Cultural Group

• Asian Americans are descendants of Asian immigrants.
• The largest immigrant population group in the U.S.
• Asian immigration rose after 1965.
• By 2014, there were 12.8 million Asian immigrants (Zong & Batalova, 2016).
• Asian American population expected to grow further.

Values and Worldview

• Asian Americans have diverse religious backgrounds.
• Family is important in Asian culture.
• Collectivism is prominent in Asian Americans (Paik, Rahman, Kule, Saito, & Witenstein, 2017).
• Education is critical to life success.
• Families often live together with grandparents.

Language and Communication Patterns

• Asian Americans are often bilingual.
• Mother tongue depends on family origins.
• Reserved in terms of emotional expression (Paik et al., 2017).
• Strong oral history traditions in families.
• Asian parents may experience language barriers.

Art and Other Expressive Forms

• Visual arts are particularly popular (Xiao, 2013).
• Artistic expression inspired by traditional motifs (Xiao, 2013).
• Children engage in different art forms.
• Performance arts are also common.
• Listen to American and Asian music.

Norms and Rules

• Authoritarian parenting style is common (Paik et al., 2017).
• Show respect and support for elders (Paik et al., 2017).
• Preservation of individual and family honor.
• Politeness and reserved attitude are normal.
• Start a family later than Americans.

Lifestyle Characteristics

• Nutrition depends on socio-cultural background.
• Smoking and substance use are common.
• Traditional healthcare is widely used (Paik et al., 2017).
• Diligent, often work extra hours.
• The level of activity varies among individuals.

Relationship Patterns and Common Rituals

• Family is the primary source of support.
• Ties with family members are strong (Paik et al., 2017).
• Decreased rate of divorces and separations.
• Seek family approval for major decisions.
• Common rituals: celebrations, family gatherings.

Degree of Assimilation or Marginalization from Mainstream Society

• The degree of assimilation depends on the age.
• Younger Asian Americans are more assimilated.
• Some Asian American communities are isolated (Paik et al., 2017).
• Might experience language and cultural barriers (Smith, 2017).
• Marginalized in predominantly white communities (Paik et al., 2017).

Health Behaviors and Practices

• Traditional medicine includes herbal remedies.
• Acupuncture is common in some communities.
• Increased utilization of conventional health resources.
• Avoid visiting a doctor when possible (Smith, 2017).
• Low health literacy and risk awareness (Smith, 2017).

Socio-Cultural Group: Russian Heritage

A Brief History of the Socio-Cultural Group

• The first wave of Russian immigration before WWI (“Background information,” n.d.).
• Most Russian immigration was politically motivated (“Background information,” n.d.).
• Many Russians fled to avoid prosecution.
• Immigration was restricted during the Cold War (“Background information,” n.d.).
• Well-established communities in most cities.

Values and Worldview

• Family is significant for Russian immigrants (Bradford, 2017).
• Collectivism and homeland are key values (Bradford, 2017).
• Connection to culture remains for generations.
• Strive for success in career and education.
• Value generosity and honesty in people.

Language and Communication Patterns

• Most families speak Russian at home.
• Fluency in English depends on the career.
• Many people speak several foreign languages.
• Rarely express emotions and feelings (Bradford, 2017).
• Willing to share information and help others (Bradford, 2017).

Art and Other Expressive Forms

• Russia has a significant artistic heritage.
• Ballet a popular art form in Russia (Bradford, 2017).
• Classical music is part of Russian Heritage (Bradford, 2017).
• Literature by Russian authors is popular (Bradford, 2017).
• Clear ties between culture and art.

Norms and Rules

• Family interests outweigh individual interests.
• Children are taught to respect elders.
• Successful career and education are imperative.
• Patriarchy is prominent in Russian families.
• Parents usually use an authoritarian parenting style.

Lifestyle Characteristics

• Low level of physical activity.
• High-fat diets due to traditional foods (“Russians in Minnesota,” 2013).
• Office work and entrepreneurship are prevalent.
• Alcohol use and smoking are common (“Russians in Minnesota,” 2013).
• Disease prevention using herbal remedies.

Relationship Patterns and Common Rituals

• Early marriage and high divorce rates.
• Mothers and grandmothers care for children.
• Can build lasting friendships and relationships.
• Respect elders and often live together.
• Russian holidays (e.g., New Year and Orthodox Christmas).

Degree of Assimilation or Marginalization from Mainstream Society

• Many live in isolated Russian communities.
• Build supportive relationships with other Russians.
• Language barriers prevent cultural assimilation.
• Marginalization due to small population size.
• Experience alienation due to cultural differences.

Health Behaviors and Practices

• Distrust towards medical professionals is widespread (“Russians in Minnesota,” 2013).
• Low health literacy, reliance on self-medication.
• Poor care-seeking behaviors lead to complications (“Russians in Minnesota,” 2013).
• High incidence of chronic diseases.
• Use home remedies for most conditions.

Comparison

• Similar family relationships and parenting styles.
• Both groups rely on herbal remedies.
• Higher cultural assimilation in Asian Americans.
• Asian Americans lead healthier lifestyles.
• Gender inequality is more prominent among Russians.

Differential Approaches

• Establish trustful relationships with Russian Americans.
• Respect patient dignity with Asian Americans.
• Encourage conventional medicine use (both groups).
• Promote adequate care-seeking behaviors (both groups).
• Provide education to improve health literacy (both groups).

References

Background Information. (n.d.). Web.

Bradford, A. (2017). Russian culture: Facts, customs & traditions.

Paik, S. J., Rahman, Z., Kula, S. M., Saito, L. E., & Witenstein, M. A. (2017). Diverse Asian American families and communities: Culture, structure, and education (Part 1: Why they differ). School Community Journal, 27(2), 35-66.

Russians in Minnesota. (n.d.).

Smith, S. (2017). Language, cultural norms clash with optimal care for some Asian-Americans. Web.

Xiao, A. (2013). America’s newest creative class: Asian Americans.

Zong, J., & Batalova, J. Asian immigrants in the United States.