Culture & Health
Culture impacts health and wellness immensely as it directly relates to the way an individual perceives health and illness, responds to an illness or pain, and at what point they seek help. Culture also affects the options a patient considers in seeking treatment, or if they choose to do so at all. "One culture may view certain signs or symptoms as an affliction while others consider them normal" (Skolnik, 2021). In Singapore many different ethnic groups define the culture including Chinese, Malay, Indian and Western influences. As it is home to a variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds, Singapore is made up of a mix of traditions and customs (Local Customs and Culture, 2020). With no pressure from its government to practice on particular religion, the most commonly practiced are Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism, and Hinduism. Also worthy of noting is the non-religious demographic of Singapore which has steadily increased over the last ten years, particularly among those aged 15-44 (Tam, 2020).
Some of the cultural norms impacting healthcare include communication style, cultural traditions and values, and traditional health customs and practices. The Chinese, for example, make up one of the largest cultural groups in Singapore. Communication styles among the Chinese, reflect cultural values. Direct eye contact with authority or elder members of society is considered a sign of disrespect while eye contact with the opposite gender may be interpreted as flirtatiousness (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). If these norms are at play during a visit with a healthcare provider, the patient's willingness to discuss personal matters or express certain body language related to their illness or injury may be diminished. This may prevent a patient from adequately expressing their needs or concerns and receiving he care they need.
Among the most important values within the culture are humility, filial piety (reverence for parents), achievement in pursuit of family recognition, and conformity to norms that will not bring shame upon the family. Since there is a stigma attached to illness that may lead to the loss of a family's dignity, it may influence decisions related to health behaviors and medical treatment (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008).
Within the Chinese culture, the needs of the individual come second to the needs of the family as a whole. It is common for two or three generations to occupy the same household as extended families are often very close(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). The tight nit nature of these family networks can be beneficial to the health of its members when it comes to availability of resources such as money and food. Members of the family who are unable to work can provide support from home while those who excel in a skill or trade can earn money to contribute to the family for things like food, medicine, and shelter.
In Singapore 77% of men and 84% of women feel that there are unfair expectations placed on their gender. These expectations are rooted in societal norms like women prioritizing caregiving in the home over their careers, or men being expected to maintain a strong emotional and physical front to exude masculinity. Gender norms can impact an individuals overall health. For example, men who feel the need to maintain a perception of strength and masculinity may avoid seeking care for illness or injury so that they don't appear weak to others (Tan, 2020).