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American Indian Family

PatternsCulture and Nursing Applications

Robin L KeatingRole Development I

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The American Indian

Family patterns make up the basic blocks of our cultural identity.Socioeconomics, geography, and religion mold the family patternswhich influence health status, health care education, and healthcare behavior.

The traditional American Indian family pattern includes polytheism,strong family hierarchy based on seniority and age, respect for theirelders, and communal activities.

Acculturation has affected the American Indian since the 1887Dawes Act, which terminated the tribal ownership of land for whitesettlement. The ethnocentric attitude of the Western developmentwas to suppress their native cultures, destroy the pagan beliefs, and

educate the American Indian children.

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The

FAMILY isthe basic

unit of

society.

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Cultural barriers inhealth asessmt:

- They have comfortwith silence

Direct eye contact isconsidered rude

Their personalspace is guarded

Talking withstrangers is unusual

Will usually comewith family member

Ways to avoid these:

Encourage conversationswith objective questions.

Be considerate of eyecontact preference, usesparingly.

Advise and ask permissionto enter personal space for

vitals and healthassessment.

Offer personal conversationto obtain rapport andencourage patient

disclosure Engage conversation with

family member & utilizepertinent questions to makecomfortable.

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Family Patterns also include religious & community

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Health Facts/Stats ofFamily Patterns

They have a shorter life expectancyaveraging 63 years

Death rate from alcoholism is 6-1/2x higherSuicide, diabetes, and hypertension are

double the national average

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Dont assume culture based on

ethnicity

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Being aware offamily patterns

doesnt givethe right tomakeassumptions.Always obtainthe informationdirectly fromthe patient. Beaware of the

geneticpredispositions.

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The points noted on this slide are crucial to healthcareproviders. Additional education and patient teaching shouldfocus on the importance of seeking regular healthcare check

ups and preventive medicine.

TRENDSinclude:Reluctance toseekhealthcare,lack ofeducationregardingimportance of

routinecheckups, lackof preventioneducation

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The Tapestry of Family Patterns

We dont accomplishanything in this world

alone and whateverhappens is the resultof the whole tapestryof ones life and all ofthe weavers of the

individual threadsfrom one another thatcreates something.-Sandra Day OConnor