Abstract
The aim of this study is to analyze the influence of Confucianism on health behaviors, health outcomes and medical decisions. The research was conducted using the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, CINHAL, PsycINFO and Web of Science, without restrictions of language and year of publication. The search process identified 833 publications matching the search criteria, and after the review process, 40 articles were included. Family is a central aspect of Confucianism, and it seems to affect participation in medical decisions, taking care of relatives, ethical dilemmas and mental health problems. Although most Confucianist influence seems to be positive, some ways of thinking could increase suffering, burnout and a delay in healthcare seeking. Understanding these values could help health professionals to deal with the growing contingent of patients with different cultures and religious beliefs.
Highlights
Interest in the study of religion/spirituality (R/S) and health has increased in the last decades (Lucchetti et al, 2016) generally supporting a positive association between R/S and health outcomes (Akerman et al, 2020)
Forty articles addressing the influence of Confucianism on the provision of health care, health behaviors and medical decisions were included in this review
Our review has provided further evidence regarding the influence of Confucianism on health behaviors, health outcomes and medical decisions
Summary
Interest in the study of religion/spirituality (R/S) and health has increased in the last decades (Lucchetti et al, 2016) generally supporting a positive association between R/S and health outcomes (Akerman et al, 2020). If religion is defined according to the Judeo-Christian model, it might be justified in saying that Confucianism is not a religion (Adler, 2011) In this case, spirituality appears as a broader concept, going beyond religious values and doctrines (Sessanna et al, 2007), where people initiate the search for the meaning and purpose of life which may or may not be related to religion (Koenig et al, 2001). Spirituality appears as a broader concept, going beyond religious values and doctrines (Sessanna et al, 2007), where people initiate the search for the meaning and purpose of life which may or may not be related to religion (Koenig et al, 2001) Using this definitions, a person could be spiritual but not religious, which is very common in Eastern cultures and traditions, such as in Confucianism
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