Cultural Differences In Attitudes Research Articles

Cultural Differences in Attitudes towards Therapy and Help-Seeking Behavior in Sweden

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the cultural differences in attitudes towards therapy and help-seeking behavior in Sweden. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: In Sweden, cultural differences impact attitudes towards therapy and help-seeking behavior. While therapy acceptance is rising among Swedes, those from collectivist cultures often view it negatively due to mental health stigma. Conversely, individuals from individualistic cultures are more open to therapy. This highlights the necessity for culturally sensitive mental health services and targeted interventions to address barriers to help-seeking behavior. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Individualism-collectivism theory, cognitive-behavioral theory & social identity theory may be used to anchor future studies on the cultural differences in attitudes towards therapy and help-seeking behavior in Sweden. Mental health professionals should develop and implement culturally tailored interventions that address the unique attitudes towards therapy and help-seeking behavior prevalent in Sweden. Policymakers should prioritize initiatives that increase diversity and cultural competence within the mental health workforce in Sweden.

Student Innovation Performance: Underpinning Theories

This study explores the relationship between extracurricular activities and student innovation performance, drawing on various theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence. Through a comprehensive literature review, the study examines the impact of extracurricular activities on students' development of critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration skills—essential components of innovation. The TRIZ innovation theory and social cognitive career theory provide theoretical underpinnings for understanding how participation in extracurricular activities fosters innovation skills among students. Additionally, the study presents a literature review matrix summarizing key findings from previous research on extracurricular activities and their effects on student development. The findings suggest that participation in extracurricular activities significantly enhances students' capacity for innovation by cultivating higher-order thinking skills and providing opportunities for real-world problem-solving. Moreover, the study discusses the implications of extracurricular engagement for students' future career success and organizational innovation. The study concludes with recommendations for future research, emphasizing the need for comparative studies across diverse student populations, in-depth analyses of specific types of extracurricular activities, and exploration of cultural differences in attitudes toward extracurricular involvement. Overall, this study contributes to a better understanding of how extracurricular activities influence student innovation performance and provides insights for educators and policymakers seeking to enhance innovation capabilities among young professionals

Ageism scale for dental students (ASDS): A focus group review of content validity.

Improve content validity of the Ageism Scale for Dental Students (ASDS) and identify barriers to using the scale. Thematic analysis of transcripts of three purposively sampled focus groups of 1) geriatric dentistry specialists, 2) older adult dental patients, and 3) dental students. Twenty-five participants engaged in focus groups. No new concepts to define ageism were identified. Experts found the scale acceptable and appropriate, yet they raised specific potential revisions to scale questions. Commonly reported themes already addressed by ASDS included the importance of tailoring decision-making to patient preference and not making assumptions about older adults' capacity or preferences for dental care. Barriers to identifying ageism or using the scale included experiential differences in interpreting scale items, cultural differences in attitudes towards older adults, and potential overlap with social determinants of health. Secondary findings include recommendations for older-adult focused training for dental students to provide positive, concrete guidance on caring for older adults. There are opportunities to refine the Ageism Scale for Dental Students and to allow tailoring of the scale for specific national or cultural contexts.

The Ethical Aspects of Choosing a Nuclear Fuel Cycle

In this paper, we addressed the problem of choosing a nuclear fuel cycle. Ethical problems related to the choice of a nuclear fuel cycle, such as the depletion of natural uranium reserves, the accumulation of nuclear waste, and the connection with the problems of nonidentity and distributive justice are considered. We examined cultural differences in attitudes toward nuclear safety and the associated ambiguities in the choice of a nuclear fuel cycle. We suggested that the reduction in consumption of natural uranium does not seem to be a feasible way of reducing nuclear waste because of the nonidentity problem.

Ethnic differences in attitudes, beliefs, and patterns of meat consumption among American young women meat eaters.

Meat eaters face conflicts over meat consumption due to recent increasing demands for reduced-meat diets to promote human and environmental health. Attitudes toward consuming meat have been shown to be culture-specific. Thus, this study was performed to examine cultural differences in attitudes, beliefs, and patterns of meat consumption among meat eaters in a group homogeneous in terms of age and sex but with diverse ethnicities. In this cross-sectional study conducted in New York City in 2014, 520 female meat eaters (Whites = 25%; Blacks = 20%; East Asians = 35%; Hispanics = 20%) aged 20-29 completed a questionnaire consisting of a series of questions on meat consumption behaviors, which addressed amounts of consumption, cooking methods, past and future changes in meat consumption, and attitudes and beliefs regarding relationships between health and meat consumption. Logistic and multiple regression analyses were used to assess the effects of variables on meat consumption. Blacks had the highest annual total meat consumption (64.2 kg), followed by East Asians (53.6 kg), Whites (46.9 kg), and Hispanics (35.8 kg). Blacks ate significantly more chicken than the other ethnic groups (P < 0.001), and East Asians ate significantly more pork and processed meat (P < 0.001). Regardless of ethnicity, grilling/roasting/broiling were the preferred cooking methods, and vegetables were most consumed as a side dish. More than half of the participants expressed an intention to decrease future meat consumption. East Asians more strongly perceived meat as a festive food (P < 0.001) and were less guilty about the slaughtering animals (P = 0.11) than other groups. No differences were found between the ethnic groups regarding negative attitudes to meat consumption. The results show that ethnicities differ in terms of attitudes, beliefs, and patterns of meat consumption. Irrespective of ethnicity, the meat-eating participants almost unanimously demonstrated a willingness to reduce future meat consumption. It is hoped these findings aid the formulation of culturally-tailored interventions that effectively reduce meat consumption.

Treatment decision-making among Asian Americans with chronic rhinosinusitis.

Treatment decision-making among Asian Americans with chronic rhinosinusitis.

Europe's cultural diversity as a problem for European integration

Abstract European integration is obviously impeded by the national and nation-state idea that is still vigorous and motivates European Union (EU) member states’ refusals to cede powers to the EU or subnational levels. Recent events like the global economic crisis, the Euro crisis, the migration crisis and the coronavirus pandemic have, however, demonstrated that it is not just the national idea and the nation state that appear to seriously hinder further integration, but that fundamental differences in cultural attitudes in different parts of Europe are also responsible. They can be traced back to earlier periods of history and a Europe that consisted of parts with very divergent economic, social and political attitudes. These disparities are difficult to equalize. The article highlights Europe's major cultural differentiation processes in history, hints at their current traces in economic, social and political attitudes and relates those attitudes to problems in European integration.

Cross-Cultural Differences and Psychometric Properties of the Japanese Actions and Feelings Questionnaire (J-AFQ).

Aims: We aimed to assess the psychometric properties of a Japanese version of the Actions and Feelings Questionnaire (J-AFQ), an 18-item self-report measure of non-verbal emotional communication, as well as to examine its transcultural properties.Methods: The J-AFQ was administered to 500 Japanese adults (age 20–49, 250 male), alongside the Japanese Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire (BAPQ-J) and Empathy Quotient (EQ-J). These were compared to a group of 597 British and Irish participants (age 16–18, 148 male). J-AFQ was assessed in terms of validity by confirmatory factor analysis and convergence with BAPQ-J and EQ-J using Pearson correlation. Internal consistency and differential item functioning (DIF) were assessed and compared between Japanese and UK/Irish participants.Results: Reversed worded items (RWIs) showed poor item-total correlations but excluding these left a 13-item version of the J-AFQ with good internal consistency and content validity. Consistent with the English version, J-AFQ scores correlated with EQ and lower BAPQ scores. However, comparing across cultures, J-AFQ scores were significantly lower in the Japanese sample, and there was evidence of important DIF by country in over half of the J-AFQ itemsConclusion: Cultural differences in attitudes to self-report, as well as increased acquiescence to RWI's also seen in previous studies, limit the value of the 18-item instrument in Japanese culture. However, the 13-item J-AFQ is a valid and reliable measure of motor empathy, which, alongside the English version, offers promise for research in motor cognition and non-verbal emotional communication across cultures.

Qualitative assessment of value in Australian pork across cultures

Context The Australian pork industry would benefit greatly from further development of export markets across Asia, but due to the small size of the Australian industry and cultural differences between Asia and the West, further insight into research is required for premium product development. Aims Qualitatively assess value in Australian pork across Australian and Chinese consumer groups to investigate perceived differences in cultural attitudes to pork. Methods Qualitative multivariate analysis (QMA). Key results Australian and Chinese opinions of Australian pork products, meat and offal, and farming systems differed significantly. Australian consumers desired expert opinion, traditional meat cuts with minimal packaging, and small-scale production with superior animal welfare. Chinese consumers wanted clean, healthy and versatile products, with consistent quality, without concerns around animal welfare. Conclusions The compatibility of the markets and consumer preferences show great promise for Australian pork holding value in the eyes of Chinese consumers, Implications Results offer insight for future product development for export and targeted domestic markets. Findings will also enable future quantitative research efforts to be more targeted and specific.

“Resumption of Sexuality and Health Education in Postpartum Period: From Jordanian Health Care Professionals’ Perspectives”

Objective: to explore Jordanian health care professionals’ perspectives about sexual education after giving birth. Methods: a descriptive qualitative approach was used to address the study aim. A purposive sampling method was used to recruit seven midwives, 13 nurses and two obstetricians from three Primary Health Centres. The inclusion criteria were: midwives, nurses or obstetricians with at least two years’ experience and currently working at a maternity health centre. Focus group discussions were used to collect data. A manual Thematic Content Analysis Tool was used to analyse the data. Results: five major themes emerged. Silence; resumption of sexuality after giving birth/area of conflict; men’s authority in resumption of sexuality; the importance of sexual education (what, when and whom) and suggestions for sexual education approaches. Conclusions: Healthcare professionals were hesitant to open sexuality topic with the women during antenatal and postnatal visits due to cultural limitations and lack of knowledge. Therefore, in a time of global migration, the healthcare professionals have the need to understand cultural differences in attitude towards health care issues involving sexuality.

Cross-Cultural Comparison of Rural Healthy Adults: Russian and American Groups.

The Russian-speaking population is among the largest European-born in the U.S., yet Russian-American cross-cultural research is scarce. Two studies compared neuropsychological test performance in Russian and American urban adults. However, rural populations of the two nations have never been compared. Cross-cultural neuropsychological differences in rural populations might present differently than in urban dwellers. The present study provides a cross-sectional comparison of neuropsychological test performance in Russian and American rural adults. Neuropsychological test performance of 51 American (67% female) and 52 Russian (60% female) healthy rural adults age 18-89 was compared using t-test with Bonferroni correction for education-adjusted z-scores for the following tests: Rey Complex Figure Test (RCFT), Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), Trail Making Test A and B (TMT A&B), Stroop Neuropsychological Screening Test, Benton Judgment of Line Orientation Test (JLO), Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R), Color Trails Test 1 and 2 (CTT 1&2), WMS-IV Logical Memory Test (LMT), WAIS-IV Digit Span Forward (DSF) and Backward Test (DSB), and Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Age and sex distribution did not differ in the two groups, but the Russian group was more highly educated. The American group outperformed the Russian group on TMT B, CTT 2, recognition trials of RCFT, BVMT-R, LMT, and on DSF. Cultural differences in attitudes to timed activities, experience with timed tests and multiple-choice format, attention to details, and length of digit-words that put differential demand on short-term memory in Russian and in English may mediate observed between-group differences.

Cultural Differences in Attitudes Towards Foreign Language Study

Cultural Differences in Attitudes Towards Foreign Language Study

Prejudices among Arab and Jewish pre-service teachers about body image and appearance

ABSTRACTThis study focused on Arabs and Jewish pre-service teachers’ perception of body image. Body image is a major component of our well-being. Western culture attributes specific characteristics to women based on their body shapes, which significantly influences their functioning. The aim of this study was to examine cultural differences in attitudes towards women’s weight among Israeli pre-service education students. Participants were 558 Arab, Jewish religious, and Jewish secular students all majoring in education. As part of a developmental psychology section on body image and eating disorders, the students were asked to respond to two pictures presenting an overweight and an average-weight woman. The participants in this study were an especially important group, given their future role as educators. Comparisons of the three groups showed only one group difference. Analyses of the entire sample showed that attributes assigned to the overweight and average-weight women differed across multiple vocational, personality, emotional, and self-image dimensions. The discussion addresses (a) how attributions about women’s bodies extend beyond cultural and religious differences, and (b) pre-service education students’ physical appearance stereotypes. Furthermore, the present study findings, underline the importance of pre-service teachers’ awareness of diversity among their students.

Cultural differences in attitude toward and effects of self-doubt.

It has been argued that the high achievement of Confucian Asian students is at the cost of their psychological well-being, since high self-doubt consistently accompanies their high achievement. However, other researchers cautioned that the attitude toward self-doubt could be different in Asian versus Western cultures. This study examined the debate with a survey of both American and Chinese college students that measured level of self-doubt, attitude toward self-doubt, beliefs about ability, and psychological well-being outcomes. As hypothesized, Chinese students showed a more positive attitude toward self-doubt than American students, despite having higher level of self-doubt. Furthermore, self-doubt engendered less negative consequences on Chinese students' psychological well-being, relative to American students. Implications for theories and research on cultural differences in the effects of self-constructs are discussed.

Skepticism and pharmacophobia toward medication may negatively impact adherence to psychiatric medications: a comparison among outpatient samples recruited in Spain, Argentina, and Venezuela.

BackgroundCultural differences in attitudes toward psychiatric medications influence medication adherence but transcultural studies are missing. The objective of this study was to investigate how attitudes and beliefs toward psychotropic medications influence treatment adherence in psychiatric outpatients in Spain, Argentina, and Venezuela.MethodsA cross-sectional, cross-cultural psychopharmacology study was designed to assess psychiatric outpatients’ attitudes toward their prescribed medication. Patients completed the Drug Attitude Inventory – 10 Item (DAI-10), the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire – Specific Scale (BMQ-Specific), the Sidorkiewicz adherence tool, and sociodemographic and clinical questionnaires. The study included 1,291 adult psychiatric outpatients using 2,308 psychotropic drugs from three Spanish-speaking countries, the Canary Islands (Spain) (N=588 patients), Argentina (N=508), and Venezuela (N=195).ResultsThe univariate analyses showed different mean scores on the DAI-10 and the BMQ – Necessity and Concerns subscales but, on the other hand, the percentages of non-adherent and skeptical patients were relatively similar in three countries. Argentinian patients had a very low level of pharmacophobia. Multivariate analyses (logistic regression and chi-squared automatic interaction detector segmentation) showed that pharmacophobia in general and skepticism about specific medications (high concern about adverse reactions and low belief in their necessity) were associated with non-adherence. Pharmacophobia was the major factor associated with non-adherence (Spain and Venezuela) but when pharmacophobia was rare (Argentina), skepticism was the most important variable associated with non-adherence.ConclusionPsychiatric patients’ attitudes and beliefs about their psychiatric treatment varied in these three Spanish-speaking countries, but pharmacophobia and skepticism appeared to play a consistent role in lack of adherence.

One country, two cultures: Implicit space–time mappings in Southern and Northern Vietnamese

AbstractWhat determines how people implicitly associate the “past” and “future” with “front” and “back”? According to the Temporal Focus Hypothesis (TFH), people's cultural attitudes toward time influence their implicit space–time mappings. However, previous research mainly used cross‐cultural comparison in which the cultures compared differ not only in attentional focus on temporal events, but may also differ in other cultural values. Thus, the specific role of cultural attitudes toward time has not been tested. In the current study, we compared Southern and Northern Vietnamese who have many aspects in common but demonstrate cultural differences in attitudes toward the past and future. The results showed that the two groups of participants tended to think about time according to their temporal focus. Taken together, this pattern of results showed that within‐cultural differences in temporal focus can also predict variation in space–time mappings, which provides further supporting evidence for the TFH.

At the intersection of culture: Ethnically diverse dementia caregivers' service use.

This study used an ethnocultural approach to explore how cultural factors influenced ethnically diverse dementia caregivers’ experiences and use of services. A modified thematic analysis of in-depth interviews with 15 caregivers, ranging in age from 50 to 75 years, including spouses, daughters, sons, cousins, and a friend, from three minority groups—African American, Hispanic, and South Korean caregivers—was conducted by a team of multi-lingual researchers. Caregiver stress was pervasive across all subgroups. Several themes emerged that were qualitatively different across groups, including knowledge about dementia, language barriers, religion and spirituality, and cultural differences in attitudes about caring and formal services. A two-pronged intervention model that includes a generic intervention to reduce caregiver stress along with a culturally targeted intervention tailored to a family’s language, food preferences, religious practices, gender norms, and other values was recommended to more successfully reach and support these caregivers.

Soft Lands Breed Soft Men? The Climatic Roots of Risk Preferences

This study examines the historical origins of differences in attitudes towards risk and uncertainty across different cultures. It establishes a robust positive relationship between cross-country temperature volatility and Hofstede’s (2011) [Hofstede, 2011] measure of uncertainty avoidance. This link holds for intermonthly, interseasonal and interannual measures of temperature volatility, and is robust to the inclusion of a wide range of controls. These findings are strengthened by analyses using data from the World Value Survey that show that individuals and countries that have been exposed to volatile climates are generally more supportive of economic protection by the government and prefer secure and stable lifestyles. Moreover, this research obtains similar relationships studying attitudes of second generation migrants from the European Social Survey, thereby isolating the cultural transmission of risk preferences from unobserved country-level heterogeneity and direct geographical effects. Moreover, it establishes that these climatic characteristics seem to have had a culturally embodied impact on meaningful economic behavior and institutions, such as the degree of self-employment and labor market protection, as well as on the differences in income inequality across countries.I argue that these results are consistent with evolutionary theories that emphasize the differential advantage of risk aversion across more or less volatile climates. In particular, I propose two different explanations. Climate volatility may induce more risk averse nomadic foragers to shift into a sedentary lifestyle, leading to a population increase because of lower child-rearing costs. Moreover, the findings are in line with a model in which more risk averse subsistence farmers have an evolutionary advantage in volatile climates because they choose to insure against adverse population shocks. All in all this study suggests that cultural differences in attitudes towards risk and uncertainty have deep climatic roots: geographical differences seem to ultimately translate into rigid institutional and cultural configurations.

History and epidemiology of anabolic androgens in athletes and non-athletes

The use of androgens, frequently referred to as anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), has grown into a worldwide substance abuse problem over the last several decades. Testosterone was isolated in the 1930s, and numerous synthetic androgens were quickly developed thereafter. Athletes soon discovered the dramatic anabolic effects of these hormones, and AAS spread rapidly through elite athletics and bodybuilding from the 1950s through the 1970s. However it was not until the 1980s that widespread AAS use emerged from the elite athletic world and into the general population. Today, the great majority of AAS users are not competitive athletes, but instead are typically young to middle-aged men who use these drugs primarily for personal appearance. AAS abuse has now become particularly prevalent in regions such as Scandinavia, the United States, Brazil, and British Commonwealth countries, but remains rare in countries such as China, Korea, and Japan – a pattern that reflects cultural differences in attitudes towards male muscularity.

Indigenous Peoples’ Attitude Toward Their Elders and Associated Personality Correlates

Research has indicated there are cultural differences in attitudes toward seniors. Very few studies, however, have been undertaken to evaluate attitudes toward elders in indigenous populations in Canada. The current study was unique in this regard by asking indigenous participants ranging in age from 18 to 50 years to provide their attitudes toward their native elders. The research was conducted with people who live on reserve and off reserve in communities in Northern Ontario. We sought to understand the influence of gender and personality factors on attitudes toward elders. The Kogan’s Attitude Toward Old People Scale and Cattell’s 16 Personality Factor Questionnaires were used to investigate attitude and personality differences among an indigenous sample. Results indicated that indigenous people have positive attitudes toward elders. There were no significant gender or living arrangement differences for those living on or off reserve. Significant correlations were found between personality factors and attitudes toward the elders. Potential implications are discussed.