Cross-cultural aspects of IBD

Ray Boyapati, Christopher Leung

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter (Book)Otherpeer-review

Abstract

Culture is defined as an integrated system of learned patterns of behaviour characteristic to a group of people; consequently, it guides beliefs, thoughts, decisions and actions. Cultural beliefs relating to health and illness have a significant effect on how patients manage disease, including perception of disease and pain, the clinician-patient relationship and attitudes towards therapy. Culture has broader implications on clinician-patient interactions, such as patient attitudes towards issues including the importance of family, personal space, eye contact and body language (Juckett 2005). There are also significant ethnic differences in the relationship between pain, emotional expression and disease (Dimsdale 2000). These factors are particularly relevant in infl ammatory bowel disease (IBD) where there is a complex interplay between pain, psychological distress and disease activity.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPsychological Aspects of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Subtitle of host publicationA Biopsychosocial Approach
EditorsSimom R Knowles, Antonina A. Mikocka-Walus
Place of PublicationHove East Sussex UK
PublisherTaylor & Francis
Chapter16
Pages140-149
Number of pages10
Edition1st
ISBN (Electronic)9781317807377
ISBN (Print)9780415741255
Publication statusPublished - 2015
Externally publishedYes

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