Asian Cultures Research Articles

A Longitudinal Study of the Association of Awareness of Disease Incurability with Patient-Reported Outcomes in Heart Failure.

To examine awareness of disease incurability among patients with heart failure over 24 mo and its associations with patient characteristics and patient-reported outcomes (distress, emotional, and spiritual well-being). This study analyzed 24-mo data from a prospective cohort study of 251 patients with heart failure (New York Heart Association class III/IV) recruited from inpatient wards in Singapore General Hospital and National Heart Centre Singapore. Patients were asked to report if their doctor told them they were receiving treatment to cure their condition. "No" responses were categorized as being aware of disease incurability, while "Yes" and "Uncertain" were categorized as being unaware and being uncertain about disease incurability, respectively. We used mixed-effects multinomial logistic regression to investigate the associations between awareness of disease incurability and patient characteristics and mixed-effects linear regressions to investigate associations with patient outcomes. The percentage of patients who were aware of disease incurability increased from 51.6% at baseline to 76.4% at 24-mo follow-up (P < 0.001). Compared with being unaware of disease incurability, being aware was associated with older age (relative risk ratio [RRR] = 1.04; P = 0.005), adequate self-care confidence (RRR = 5.06; P < 0.001), participation in treatment decision making (RRR = 2.13; P = 0.006), higher education (RRR = 2.00; P = 0.033), financial difficulty (RRR = 1.18; P = 0.020), symptom burden (RRR = 1.08; P = 0.001), and ethnicity (P < 0.05). Compared with being unaware of disease incurability, being aware was associated with higher emotional well-being (β = 0.76; P = 0.024), while being uncertain about disease incurability was associated with poorer spiritual well-being (β = -3.16; P = 0.006). Our findings support the importance of being aware of disease incurability, addressing uncertainty around disease incurability among patients with heart failure, and helping patients make informed medical decisions. The findings are important to Asian and other cultures where the prognosis disclosure to terminally ill patients is generally low with an intention to "protect" patients. Our 24-mo study with heart failure patients showed an increase from 52% to 76% in patients being aware of disease incurability.Compared with being unaware of disease incurability, being aware was associated with higher emotional well-being, while uncertainty about disease incurability was associated with poorer spiritual well-being.

Exploring eating disorder risk among Thai transfeminine youth: a comparative study with cisgender females.

Adolescents, particularly vulnerable during puberty, often face heightened concerns about dieting and body image. Transfeminine youth, especially in Asian cultures, are understudied in this context. This study investigates eating disorder risks among Thai transfeminine youth and compares to cisgender females, focusing on the association with body dissatisfaction. This study aims to explore 3 objectives: (1) to assess and compare the prevalence of eating disorder risks between Thai transfeminine youth and cisgender females; (2) to examine the link between body dissatisfaction and eating disorder risks; (3) to identify risk factors associated with abnormal eating disorder screening outcomes. This is a cross-sectional comparative study conducted between September 2021 and October 2022. The study questionnaire includes Thai version of the Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT-26) to assess the risks of eating disorders and Thai version of the Body Image Concern Inventory (BICI) to assess body dissatisfaction. The questionnaire was distributed through social media platforms to transfeminine and cisgender females, aged 12-25 years. The correlation between eating disorder risks and body dissatisfaction was analyzed with linear regression, while the comparisons between transfeminine individuals and cisgender female groups were analyzed with Wilcoxon rank-sum test. The study included 241 transfeminine individuals and 388 cisgender females, median age 19.0 years (interquartile range [IQR] 18-21) and 18 years (IQR 16-20), respectively. Ninety (37.3%) transfeminine individuals had an EAT-26 score ≥ 20, suggesting concerns for dieting and eating behaviors, compared to 70 (18%) cisgender females (p < 0.001). Risk factors for EDs included obesity (odds ratio [OR] 3.22, confidence interval [CI] 1.36-7.6) and low income (OR 3.66, CI 1.59-8.4). Protective factors were negligible exercise (OR 0.24, CI 0.09-0.66), gender identity disclosure (OR 0.27, CI 0.1-0.77), and high levels of happiness (OR 0.85, CI 0.73-0.98). There is a significant correlation between the positive eating behavior screening and the body dissatisfaction scores. Transfeminine youths show significantly higher concerns about dieting, body weight, and eating behaviors than their cisgender females, highlighting the unique challenges they face. These results emphasize the needs for targeted screening, health care access for treatment and support for eating disorders in transfeminine youths.

Punishing “gender deviants”? Women born in the year of the white horse and college selectivity

Belief in the Chinese zodiac, a cultural belief widely held in East Asian cultures, posits that people are fated to have different traits according to the zodiac animal attached to their birth year. As a white horse is culturally associated with masculine traits, Korean women born in the White Horse year are presumed to be argumentative, headstrong, and born with “too much” Yin energy. In this study, we analyze a nationally representative sample of Korean college graduates to examine whether and how being born in the White Horse year, thereby being chronically exposed to gender stereotype-violating stigma, affects women's higher educational attainment. Our difference-in-differences models show that White Horse women, on average, entered colleges of lower selectivity than did non-White Horse women, whereas no such disadvantage was attached to White Horse men. The results also suggest that, although the negative impact of the White Horse stigma is more salient for socioeconomically disadvantaged White Horse women than for their advantaged counterparts, the difference between the two groups does not reach statistical significance. We discuss the implications of these findings with emphasis on the role of sheer presumptions about gendered expectations in reproducing social disadvantages for women.

Die Einstellungen des Alters und des Alterns in den deutschen Werbespots

Depending on the cultural context, age characteristics or specific portrayals of age are presented differently in television advertisements. Advertising agencies often attempt to convey certain cultural images, family values and principles or even illustrate humorous age stereotypes, which can be identified for example in the two analyzed commercials from Bluna and Teekanne, in order to attract the interest and attention of the audience. Since childhood, each person has certain image ideas that have a great influence on them from literature, society, the media, but especially from television. These influence our perception of the natural process of aging, either positively or negatively. However, such age stereotypes are also culture-dependent, because in Asian cultures the portrayal of old age is perceived differently, in the sense of wisdom, spiritual experience, long longevity, and from a state of healthy well-being. In contrast, in European cultures, perceptions of old age differ significantly, with a greater association with severe physical conditions or mental illnesses.

A Consecutive Interpreting Study of the Keynote Speech on the Opening Ceremony of the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations

As a real-time bilingual processing activity, consecutive interpreting consists of three stages:source language listening and identification, information memorization and target language production. This paper chooses the consecutive interpreting recording of keynote speech on the opening ceremony of the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations as the study text. The author manage to analysis the target language text from lexical level, syntactic level and textual level.

Inclusive practice: a study exploring community pharmacists' perspectives, knowledge, and training of Neurodiversity (ND) and the effects on their practice

Abstract Introduction An estimated 1 in 7 people in the UK are neurodivergent, a term encompassing conditions such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and other learning differences.1 Neurodivergent individuals have poorer health outcomes, increased risk of premature mortality and reduced access to healthcare.2 The Oliver McGowan case highlighted the need for raising awareness of neurodiversity and mandatory training.2 CPs are uniquely positioned to implement simple adjustments, e.g., adapting communication methods and inclusive pharmacy spaces, consequently reducing health inequalities. CPs’ knowledge, cultural perspectives and current accommodations in their practice for neurodiverse patients must be determined. Aim To explore community pharmacists' perspectives, knowledge and training of neurodiversity and the effects on their practice. Methods A mixed-methods approach was used following ethical approval from Kingston University Ethics Committee. After a pilot study, using random sampling, paper questionnaires comprising 26 mixed-style questions were distributed and collected in person to community pharmacists in East London boroughs within a two-month period. Survey participants were invited for an optional in-person or remote semi-structured interview, conducted using a validated interview guide. The minimum sample size was 129 pharmacists (Raosoft online calculator; 95% confidence interval). Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, using Microsoft Excel alongside thematic analysis for interview responses. Results Response rate was 80% (n=103/129) and 6 pharmacists participated in interviews. 53% (n=55) were Asian, 21% (n=22) Black, and 19% (n=20) White ethnicity. 52% (n=54) identified as male and 47% (n=48) as female. There was a statistically significant correlation between ethnicity and perception of neurodiversity, with conditions taken less seriously in Asian and Black cultures compared to White culture (p&amp;lt;0.001). White participants were statistically more likely to rate their knowledge as good or above in comparison to Asian or Black participants (p=0.01), with 70% (n=14/20) White participants rating their knowledge as good in comparison to 18% (n=4/22) Black and 29% (n=16/55) Asian participants. 100% (n=103/103) and 94% (n=97/103) participants were able to identify autism and ADHD respectively as neurodiverse conditions but only 20% (n=21/103) and 21% (n=22/103) respectively identified dyspraxia and dyscalculia. 94% (n=97/103) stated no changes were made to accommodate neurodiverse patients with only 3% (n=3/103) offering large-print labels or poster formats and 2% (n=2/103) offering quiet areas. Thematic analysis demonstrated the absence of interventions and awareness was commonly due to systemic barriers and lack of specific training. Participants described diverse cultural attitudes and attached stigma to neurodiversity. Discussion/Conclusion There are significant gaps in knowledge about neurodiversity, possibly linked to a lack of formal training opportunities for CPs. Consequently, minimal adjustments are made to accommodate neurodiverse patients. Changes to pharmacy education and training are needed to develop general understanding, with tools that can be incorporated in pharmacies to aid neurodiverse patients and improve health literacy.2 Simple measures such as ‘quiet hours’ or large-text labels can greatly impact a person’s healthcare experience. However, improvements are required in infrastructure and resources within pharmacies, as well as shifts in cultural attitudes to encourage patients to share their status.3 Study limitations included time constraints and a small but diverse geographical area.

A cultural adaptation of acceptance and commitment therapy with exercise for older Chinese with chronic pain and depressive symptoms: A mixed-methods study.

Chronic pain and depression are highly prevalent and correlated in older adults. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and exercise have been shown to be effective for both conditions, mostly in Western literature. Little is known about integrating two approaches, particularly in Asian cultures and among less well-educated people. This article describes the iterative process of developing a culturally adapted ACT with exercise intervention for older Chinese with chronic pain and depressive symptoms. A multidisciplinary expert panel codesigned a culturally adapted ACT with exercise intervention, comprising a weekly 2-hr ACT and a 1½-hr exercise program for 8 weeks, focusing on six ACT core components and low-to-moderate intensity circuit-based resistance exercise. Its feasibility was tested through a mixed-methods, pretest-posttest design with 22 older Chinese experiencing chronic pain and depressive symptoms (Mage = 71.5 years, SD = 7.5, 86% female). Participants showed significant improvements in pain intensity, pain interference, pain self-efficacy, physical performance, pain acceptance, and committed action (all p < .05). We identified five themes to inform protocol revision: (1) contextualizing values, (2) utilizing experiential learning, (3) using culturally appropriate metaphors, (4) establishing linkage between ACT concepts and pain, and (5) promoting application through repetition and prompts. Incorporating these findings, the final protocol emphasized three core ACT components and one set of physical exercises. This is the first study demonstrating the feasibility of a culturally adapted, person-centered tailoring ACT with exercise intervention for improving pain-related outcomes and mental wellness among older Chinese. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

THE ROLE OF THE GREAT SILK ROAD AND THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF CHINESE AND CENTRAL ASIAN CIVILIZATIONS

This article reveals the role of the Great Silk Road and the historical development of Chinese and Central Asian civilization. Including the role of the formation and development of the Great Silk Road in the history of China, in particular, the efforts to develop this trade route during the Qin, Han, Ming and Qing dynasties. ‎

ORIENT Diet: A Potential Neuroprotective Dietary Pattern for Chinese Stroke High-Risk Population

ObjectivesGiven the particularity of Asian cultures and dietary habits, there is a need to establish a neuroprotective dietary pattern specially for the Asian stroke high-risk population, to prevent cognitive impairment. DesignA systematic review and cross-sectional study. Setting and ParticipantsChinese stroke high-risk population from the CIRCLE (NCT03542734) study. MethodsThe Oriental Intervention for Enhanced Neurocognitive healTh (ORIENT) diet was developed by replacing the western foods in the Mediterranean-DASH diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet with appropriate Asian alternatives, and refining the recommended intake frequency based on a systematic review, which examined Asian studies in the cognition-diet field. Cognitive impairment was defined as a global cognitive score ≥1 SD below the sample mean, based on the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and Canadian Stroke Network vascular cognitive impairment battery. ResultsA total of 568 participants were finally included, with 325 men (57.2%) and a mean age of 60.5 ± 7.3 years. Participants in the highest tertile of ORIENT score had 60.5% lower odds of cognitive impairment than those in the lowest tertile (odds ratio = 0.395, 95% CI = 0.165-0.944, P = .044) when adjusted for demographic variables, lifestyle factors, and health status. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that each 1-point increase in ORIENT score was associated with 0.048 higher global cognitive score, 0.281 higher Mini-Mental State Examination score, and 0.344 higher Montreal Cognitive Assessment score. Conclusions and ImplicationsHigh adherence to ORIENT diet was associated with lower odds of cognitive impairment, providing a potential neuroprotective dietary pattern for Chinese stroke high-risk population.

Bungen—An East Asian Philosophy of Culture in Terms of Intercultural Interactions and a Reinterpretation of Watsuji’s Concept of Aidagara

Influenced by Hegel, modern Chinese philosophers (e.g., Mou Zong-San, Lao Sze-Kwang, etc.) and Japanese philosophers (e.g., Nishida Kitaro) were inclined to narrate Chinese or Japanese culture in terms of the Hegelian concept of ‘spirit’. Nevertheless, the Hegelian philosophy of culture assumes the existence of an unchangeable cultural spirit and was therefore criticised by Watsuji Tetsuro. Watsuji denies the existence of an unchangeable cultural spirit and argues that cultures arise from the aidagara (interactions) between Ningen (human society) and Fudo (nature). Yet Watsuji’s narration of culture overemphasised the aidagara between Ningen and Fudo but disregarded that culture may also arise from the aidagara among cultures. Therefore, by reinterpreting Watsuji’s concept of aidagara, this paper proposes the concept of Bungen to explain the formation of cultures in terms of intercultural interactions and therefore highlight the diversity of East Asian cultures.

Cultural Insiders and Graphic Stories to Promote Research Readiness Among the South Asian Community: A Focus on Purpose, Protection, and Participation.

South Asians living in the United States are frequently underrepresented in health research. Their lack of participation limits the generalizability of research to them and keeps them from receiving the high-quality care and innovation that some studies may offer. "Research Ready" is a five-panel, community co-created graphic-style story that encourages discussion around the purpose of research, safety/protection while participating, and why diverse participation-including South Asians-improves study results and leads to more effective interventions/treatments. This study leveraged trained young adult "cultural insiders" to invite attendees of a Midwestern South Asian Cultural Festival to read the story aloud together as the characters in English or Hindi and used a decision guide to invite discussion. Post-discussion surveys (N = 104) were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Participants spanned from 10 to 79 years, with 42% < 18 years and more females (61%). Only 18.3% indicated having prior research participation. Adults 40+ years (60%) requested the story/discussion in Hindi, compared to 2.3% of adolescents and 6.7% of younger adults. After the discussion, participants indicated their willingness to consider participation, with most being open to participating in surveys/interviews (95.2%); only 52.9% would consider studies requiring the taking of medicines. Adolescents, females, and adults with higher education were more willing to participate in medication studies. Nearly all (97.1%) said they would feel safe participating in research, and 88.5% shared that the discussion would help them better decide about future participation. In conclusion, "Research Ready" discussions shared by cultural insiders effectively encourage South Asians to consider future research participation.

Unveiling the hidden diversity of Ganoderma (Ganodermataceae, Polyporales) in Sri Lanka: the first report of G. angustisporum, G. ellipsoideum, and G. orbiforme

ABSTRACT The genus Ganoderma holds profound importance in traditional medicine and modern scientific research. It is renowned for its medicinal properties and ecological significance, particularly in East Asian cultures, which have been revered for centuries. This mushroom has garnered significant attention in recent decades due to its ethnomedicinal use. The importance of Ganoderma genus in traditional medicine and scientific research cannot be overstated. Furthermore, extensive research has been conducted worldwide on the taxonomy and nomenclature of this fungus, although it remains controversial. However, research into the diversity and characterisation of Ganoderma species in Sri Lanka has been relatively limited, and the species diversity of Ganoderma is still not well known. Hence, we collected and identified Ganoderma species in the Sabaragamuwa and Western Provinces, Sri Lanka, aiming to increase research interest in this important mushroom genus. The collected specimens were identified based on comprehensive morphological analyses and rDNA-ITS sequence-based phylogeny. Three Ganoderma species, Ganoderma angustisporum J.H. Xing, B.K. Cui & Y.C. Dai, G. ellipsoideum Hapuar., T.C. Wen & K.D. Hyde, and G. orbiforme (Fr.) Ryvarden were identified in Sri Lanka for the first time. Additionally, a fungicolous strain of Trichoderma atroviride P. Karst. associated with the basidiocarps of G. angustisporum was identified for the first time.

Rice and its nutritional significance

Rice is a staple food for millions of populations in the world and originated from a wild grass to a crop. The Asian civilization was built on rice. The rice cultivation changed the lives of hunters into farmers. The domestication of rice in India dates back to the 7th millennium BC. Due to industrialization, the traditional practice of hand pounding was overtaken by rice processing mills, which led to the production of white polished rice, devoid of many nutrients. Studies confirmed that higher consumption of white rice increased the risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease, high in India. In the current scenario, the disease prevalence is increasing, and customers are in search of nutritious foods with potential health benefits. This paper outlines the origin of rice and its nutritional value.

An Analysis of the Short Story How to Grow Bananas by Chinese Author Xu Yigua

The purpose of the paper is to offer an example of reader-response analysis based on free associations, as well as on the visual suggestions of various elements to bring about allusive language into the process of interpretation, together with strong emotional associations in the case of short stories from Asian cultures. Indirect communication, which is specific on an everyday life basis in Asian cultures, rely on a similar mechanism, of decoding intent in an everyday life context of communication, in a way reminding of understanding a literary work. The case in point will be the short story How to Grow Bananas by contemporary Chinese author Xu Yigua, and the way in which visual language works together with indirect communication culture to bring about readers’ understanding and interpretation, as well as striking their attention through unusual details.

Morality through the lens of Confucian heritage countries: collective self variations and moral worldviews.

The issue of Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic (WEIRD) samples dominating research has been ongoing for decades, and now the emerging trend is to turn to theoretical perspectives from the Majority World. Adopting Western-centric methods based on reductionism can overlook important details and differences between similar cultures, particularly in East Asian cultures, where the Confucian values of relational harmony take many forms. We discuss a novel theoretical perspective on moral constitutions in Confucian heritage cultures. Our central tenet is that divergent moral concepts and ideals are present in Confucian cultures because each culture emphasizes a specific pillar and the self is situated differently in the social relationships that define the scope of interpersonal moral obligations. We consider three Confucian countries: China, Japan, and South Korea as examples. Despite geographical proximity and conventional categorization in cultural psychology, each Confucian country manifests distinct patterns of the self, moral ideals, and behavior in socio-moral contexts. To understand how and why moral worldviews vary within a region, we need to examine how the self in socio-cultural contexts differs and guides interpersonal norms and behaviors across sociocultural contexts. We conclude this paper by offering methodological recommendations for including indigenous moral concepts outside the WEIRD context.

The role of bicultural stress and shame on the well-being of South Asian college students in the United States.

South Asian U.S. college students experience socialization from South Asian cultures they grew up with and White culture outside the South Asian community. The present study considers that the ways of navigating two conflicting cultures and experiences of shame are associated with anxiety and life satisfaction among South Asian U.S. college students. An anonymous survey, distributed to 271 South Asian students (mean age = 22, 38.2% male, 59.2% female, 2.3% nonbinary), quantitively assessed how bicultural stress and shame are related to anxiety and life satisfaction. Open-ended questions asked students to describe experiences of bicultural identity stressors and shame. Survey results indicated bicultural stress and shame as predictors of anxiety and lower life satisfaction. Thematic analysis of open-ended question responses revealed experienced stressors related to academics, finances, family expectations, and fitting in. Shame experiences were tied to bicultural stress and family and self-imposed expectations of participants. There is a need to further investigate the relationships found in the present study and explore ways to support South Asian students experiencing bicultural stress and shame. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

A Comparative Approach to Explaining Gender Disparities in Asian American and Asian Canadian Politics

In 2020, Asian Americans were the least descriptively represented at all levels of elected office compared to whites, Blacks, and Latinos (Sedique, Bhojwani, and Lee 2020). In this context, Asian women lagged behind Asian men in holding local-level positions, yet they surpassed Asian men in holding federal and statewide offices, and they led 81% of state- and local-level Asian civil rights organizations (AAPI Power Fund 2020; Reflective Democracy Campaign 2021). Do gender disparities in Asian American political representation arise because Asian women are less likely to run for office than Asian men, or because they are less likely to win elections? Do these disparities vary across levels of office? And are they unique to Asian Americans?

Empowering voices, shaping futures: digital storytelling for sustainable transformation

Digital storytelling has emerged as a powerful tool for advocating sustainability and driving social change, particularly in the diverse and rapidly developing context of Asia. This paper explores the transformative potential of digital storytelling in promoting sustainable practices across the region. By analyzing successful campaigns and case studies, the research examines how various storytelling formats and platforms effectively engage audiences, raise awareness of critical sustainability issues—such as climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss—and inspire action towards positive change. The study delves into the capacity of digital storytelling to amplify marginalized voices, foster empathy, and mobilize collective action. It investigates the crafting of narratives that resonate with diverse Asian cultures, effectively communicate complex issues, and motivate behavior change. The role of local communities and indigenous knowledge in shaping authentic and relevant narratives is also explored, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and cultural sensitivity. Additionally, the paper addresses ethical considerations and challenges associated with digital storytelling for advocacy. It emphasizes responsible and inclusive storytelling practices that empower communities while safeguarding participants' rights and well-being. By providing insights into effective strategies and ethical guidelines, this research equips communicators and changemakers with the tools to harness the power of digital storytelling for a more sustainable future in Asia.

Revisiting Naomichi Ishige and the development of Asian food culture studies in Japan

Revisiting Naomichi Ishige and the development of Asian food culture studies in Japan

Contextual disparities of “happiness” in Korean and Chinese: A quantitative analysis of “행복” and “幸福”

This study investigates the contextual disparities in the meanings of the Korean Hanja word “행복 [hɛŋbok]” and the Chinese Hanzi word “幸福 [ɕiŋ51 fu35],” both conceptualized similarly to “happiness” in English. Utilizing computational linguistics methodologies, we analyzed 192,249 instances of “행복” from the Modu Corpus and 324,585 instances of “幸福” from the CCL Corpus, employing collocation, bi-gram, and tri-gram techniques. Our analysis reveals that these words embody distinct cultural, social, and political dimensions in their respective contexts. Korean usage of “행복” shows a strong association with community well-being, social infrastructure, and educational development. Frequently co-occurring terms include “가족” (family), “교육” (education), and “사회” (society), reflecting deep-rooted Confucian values. Conversely, Chinese usage of “幸福” emphasizes national prosperity, collective harmony, and individual life quality. Common collocates include “国家” (country), “人民” (people), and “生活” (life), influenced by traditional philosophies and modern political ideologies. The research highlights significant differences in how happiness is conceptualized in relation to government policies. Korean contexts focus on specific quality-of-life improvements, evident in phrases like “행복 주택” (happiness housing) and “행복 도시” (happiness city). Chinese contexts stress the link between national development and individual well-being, as seen in expressions like “人民幸福” (people’s happiness) and “幸福生活” (happy life). These findings underscore the complex interplay between personal fulfillment and social responsibility in East Asian cultures. Our study demonstrates the effectiveness of computational linguistics in analyzing complex cultural concepts, while also revealing limitations in capturing individual subjective experiences. It contributes to contrastive lexicography between Korean and Chinese, offering insights for cross-cultural communication and policymaking in social well-being initiatives.