ASNA Independent Study Activity - Cultural Assessment of Koreans

Alabama Nurse,  Sep-Nov 2003  by Roberson, Charlene M

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Religious Practices: In the US most Koreans are Christian. Prior to Christianity Koreans were followers of the Shamanism, Buddhist, Taoism, or Confucianism traditions. The oldest is Shamanism or spirit worship. Webster defines Shamanism as, "A religion of Northern Asia characterized by a belief in an unseen world of gods, demons, and ancestral spirits responsive only to Shamans." A Shaman is a priest who uses magic for the purpose of curing the sick and other activities. Today this indigenous religion is most often practiced in rural areas of Korea but may also be seen in urban areas. Chanting and praying are common practices. It is not unusual to have a mixture of religions in the same households.

Illness Beliefs: Some believe that illness is the result of bad luck, misfortune, or imbalance of the spirits. Many Koreans although Christian maintain a good relationship with the spirits and may have a spiritual healer known as a Moodang. They may be hired to discover the cause of illness and devise ways to rid the body of the illness.

Mental Illness is considered to be a disruption of the spiritual self. It is often feared and considered shameful. Sometimes this fear or shame may cause the patient and/or the family spokesman to deny or minimize the full extent of emotional problems. If a patient needs to be screened for depression use a tool that does not include the word depression. There are many depression screening tools available both with and without the term depression.

Some Koreans practice coin rubbing which is based on the belief that illness needs to be drawn out of the body. A coin is heated or smeared with oil and then vigorously rubbed over the body. The result is red welts. If assessed on the body of a child or elderly person, it does not necessarily mean abuse. Evaluate the situation if the red welts are noted.

Communication Styles: The elders (1st generation) may not speak English; however, they usually have a high level of English comprehension. Their understanding will be improved if the nurse speaks slowly, uses short phrases, and looks directly at them. If the patient feels intimidated or fearful (as when ill) they may be uncomfortable speaking English even if they have a good command of the language. When possible, it is best to use family members as interpreters. If the family is not present you may employ a stranger as long as they are respectable in demeanor and appearance. Gender is unimportant.

Koreans are given three names. Their last name is the family name and is written first. The second is the generational name and the given name written last. The given name is what Korean family or friends call each other. Always greet the person using a title and last name (family name) unless instructed otherwise. Never, ever greet the person with the first name (given name) unless given specific permission. If the person is elderly the nurse will never be given this permission.

A sign of respect to the nurse is a quick quarter bow upon an introduction. In a US health care setting it unnecessary to return the bow.