Example Family Cultural Assessment

Posted: November 11th, 2024

CULTURAL ASSESSMENT FORM

Example Family Cultural Assessment

Student Name:

Professor Name:

Date of Interview:

Location of Interview: HK’s residence

Initials or Pseudonyms of Family Members Present for Interview:

During the interview, HK, the mother, and JK, the eldest daughter, were present.

With the family’s consent, I utilized the framework of Giger and Davidhizar’s Transcultural Nursing Assessment (2016) to guide my interview. HK and her family emigrated from Somalia to the United States in search of improved living conditions. The aim of this assessment is to gain insights into Somali culture and develop nursing interventions to alleviate some of the challenges the family is encountering.

Communication:

The family originates from Somalia and communicates in Somali.

The interview included participation from the eldest daughter, JK, and her mother, HK.

The family was very expressive, using both verbal communication and hand gestures.

The mother speaks with a pronounced accent, while the daughter speaks English fluently and assisted with translation when necessary.

The younger children were playing in their rooms, and the mother would gently remind them not to interrupt when they approached.

Space:

Among family and friends, the family is comfortable with close physical interaction, such as hugging and holding hands.

With strangers, they are more conscious of personal space, though the mother notes that compared to Western cultures, they prefer closer interactions.

The family enjoys shared meals, with JK, the eldest daughter, assisting with cooking and cleaning. Traditionally, women manage household duties while men work outside.

HK is employed at an Amazon warehouse. She appreciates the job opportunities in America and values working outside the home for social interaction.

Due to their Muslim faith, HK is cautious about personal space and limits interactions with unrelated men.

The family resides in a three-bedroom apartment, with JK and her younger sister sharing a room, and the two younger brothers sharing another.

Social Organization:

The family hails from XXXXXX, Somalia, and like many immigrants, they moved to the United States to escape civil unrest and seek better opportunities.

In Somalia, HK was a homemaker, while her husband ran a local shop selling household goods.

Their staple diet includes rice with meat or beans and salad, with Somali tea and sweets for dessert.

Family roles are traditional, with HK managing the home and children, while her husband, a truck driver, is often away.

JK expresses a desire to marry someone who can cook, as she does not enjoy cooking.

For leisure, family members pursue individual interests. The parents follow news from Somalia, read the Quran, and attend the mosque. The older children engage with social media and friends, while the younger ones enjoy electronic games and YouTube.

The family practices Islam, with HK wearing a burka that covers her body except for her hands and face. The girls wear dresses and headscarves in public. They attend Friday prayers, and the adults regularly read the Quran. The children attend Quran classes on weekends.

There is a significant Somali community in Minnesota, and HK has a few close Somali friends she enjoys spending time with.

Environmental Control:

HK mentioned that the family prefers natural remedies before consulting a doctor.

She emphasized the healing properties of honey, which they use for wounds, stomachaches, and colds.

Quran recitation and prayer are also integral to their healing practices.

Black seed oil is another remedy used by the family. HK explained that many Somalis mix honey with ground black pepper and consume it daily as a preventive measure, similar to vitamins.

Health is highly valued by the family, defined as the absence of mental and physical ailments.

Biological Variation:

Like most East Africans, Somalians typically have dark brown to light brown skin, dark hair, and brown eyes. They are generally slender, which HK attributes to home-cooked meals.

The family has a history of throat cancer, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

HK and JK shared that JK’s father’s throat cancer has recurred and is at stage 4.

The family is still processing the diagnosis and is emotionally affected by it.

Nursing Interventions: (Must be family & culturally oriented, use bullet points, minimum of 3)

I referred HK to a community center offering English classes.

I suggested HK inform the Imam about her husband’s diagnosis for two reasons.

I provided throat cancer information in Somali and advised the family to request written materials in Somali during medical appointments.

Why Chosen: (Use bullet points, include 3 or more peer-reviewed citations to support)

HK expressed difficulty with English, often relying on her children for interpretation. English classes could enhance her confidence and daily navigation (Denham et al., 2016).

Informing the Imam could lead to community prayers and connections with others who have faced similar challenges, fostering community support (Odunukan et al., 2015).

Providing health information in Somali ensures the family can make informed healthcare decisions (Wilhelm et al., 2021).

Evaluation of Nursing Interventions: (What was the family’s reaction to nursing interventions)

HK appreciated the idea of involving the Imam but noted it was her husband’s decision.

HK mentioned that she occasionally receives health information in Somali but hesitates to request it, as she generally understands healthcare professionals. For serious visits, she ensures a Somali interpreter is present.

JK was excited about the YMCA, though HK was concerned about membership costs. I encouraged her to inquire about income-based pricing.

Describe your thoughts on the experience of doing the assessment.

The disclosure of the father’s stage 4 cancer was unexpected and emotionally challenging. I felt particularly empathetic towards JK, who is nearing high school graduation and facing such heavy news during a pivotal life moment.

I wish I could offer more support to this family.

Revision of Nursing Interventions – what would you revise based on the family’s reaction?

I should have suggested alternative physical activities, such as walking or using the apartment complex gym, considering the YMCA cost concerns.

How is this family part of a marginalized population? Explain.

This family is part of a marginalized population because their culture is not the dominant one in their community.

Their access to healthcare is not equivalent to that of their white American neighbors due to systemic societal structures.

The lack of cultural competency in the healthcare system further marginalizes them.

What have you learned about analyzing & responding to conditions of marginalized populations through this unit?

To care for marginalized populations, I must first understand my own cultural biases and strive for self-awareness.

During assessments, nurses should view patients as experts of their own culture and listen attentively.

It is crucial to set aside preconceived notions and focus on the patient’s cultural expressions and nonverbal cues.

How will you respond to conditions of marginalized populations in your nursing practice?

I will conduct cultural assessments to tailor interventions to the patient’s needs.

I will exercise patience and understanding when patients respond unexpectedly to healthcare services.

Culturagram

Family Members Legal Status Time in Community Health Beliefs Impact of Crisis Events Contact with Cultural and Religious Institutions Holidays and Special Events Reasons for Relocating Values about Family Values about Education and Work Language(s)

Mother: HK, Oldest daughter: JK, Father and 3 young kids under 14 Somali-American citizens 11 years Prefer natural remedies like honey, ginger, black seed. Prayer and Quran recitation also used for healing. Family still processing father’s cancer diagnosis. Relying on God’s will. Undecided about risky surgery or chemo. Family practices Islam. Eid Al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr, Celebrating weddings, graduation. Family fleeing violence in Somalia. Pursuit for a better life. Respect for elders and parents. Caring for each other. Education is valued, also working to care for family and contributing to society. In traditional Somali culture, men are expected to work outside of the home, women are expected to care for the home. Somali, English

References

Denham, S., Eggenberger, S., Young, P., & Krumwiede, N. (2016). Family-focused nursing care. F.A. Davis Company.

Lilia, K., Souheir, B., Mohammed, K., Eddine, R. D., & Asma, I. (2023). The effect of physical activity on the mental health of the individual. HIV Nursing, 23(3), 243–246. https://doi-org.ezproxy.mnsu.edu/10.31838/hiv23.03.30

Odunukan, O. W., Abdulai, R. M., Hagi Salaad, M. F., Lahr, B. D., Flynn, P. M., & Wieland, M. L. (2015). Provider and interpreter preferences among Somali women in a primary care setting. Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 6(2), 105–110. https://doi-org.ezproxy.mnsu.edu/10.1177/2150131914552846

Wilhelm, A. K., McRee, A.-L., Bonilla, Z. E., & Eisenberg, M. E. (2021). Mental health in Somali youth in the United States: the role of protective factors in preventing depressive symptoms, suicidality, and self-injury. Ethnicity & Health, 26(4), 530–553. https://doi-org.ezproxy.mnsu.edu/10.1080/13557858.2018.1514451