| The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 1.64 million people with Arab ancestry now live in the United States (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). Literature has indicated that when patients and health care providers have different cultural backgrounds, some challenges in healthcare delivery may include: confusion, problematic communication and issues with nonadherence (Zahr & Hatter-Pollara, 1998). The aim of this clinical dissertation has been to improve health care providers' understanding of the beliefs and practices of Arab and Arab American families in medical settings. Studies have shown that maintaining a clearly defined sense of self and being able to think lucidly about personal convictions is central to psychological well being (Chung & Gale, 2006). This dissertation explored how health care professionals can provide Arab and Arab American families with culturally competent support using the theory of differentiation as a tool for providing more effective treatments and interventions for this population. The author conducted a selective literature review related to Arab American history, acculturation of Arab Americans in terms of family structure, religion, language, and belief system as they relate to health and illness. Clinical guidelines for working with Arab and Arab American families in medical settings using a differentiation-based approach are discussed. As a means to disseminate the literature findings, a psycho educational brochure for health care providers working with Arab and Arab American families in medical settings was developed within the framework of differentiation theory. |
