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Hispanics
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Hispanic/Latino culture has certain cultural nuances or unwritten rules that govern social
interactions. These unstated rules may impact the way in which individuals perceive, seek,
and receive services. Common cultural characteristics for Hispanics/Latinos in the United
States include family, or
la familia
;
respeto
or respect;
personalismo
;
confianza
or trust; and
espiritu
or spirit.
• La familia (family)
: Traditionally, Hispanics/Latinos include many people in their
extended families, not only parents and siblings, but grandparents, aunts, uncles,
cousins and compadres, close friends, and godparents (padrinos) of the family’s
children. When ill or injured, Hispanic/Latino people frequently consult with other
family members and often ask them to come along to medical visits. Social and
family pressures to eat like others, to avoid offending others, or to partake in
food-centered celebrations are among the difficulties they encounter in making
long-term dietary changes.
• Respeto (respect)
: For Hispanics, the intimate confines of extended families,
close-knit Hispanic/Latino communities, and traditional patriarchal networks
are mediated by
respeto
(respect).
Respeto
implies a mutual and reciprocal
deference toward others based on age, sex, social position, economic status,
and authority. Out of a sense of
respeto,
many Hispanic/Latino patients tend
to avoid disagreeing or expressing doubts to their healthcare provider and
may even be reluctant to ask questions or admit they are confused about
their medical instructions or treatment. Associated with this is a cultural taboo
against expressing negative feelings directly. This taboo may manifest itself in a
patient’s withholding information, not following treatment orders, or terminating
medical care. One way Hispanics/Latinos show respect is to avoid eye contact
with authority figures. Do not misinterpret this respectful behavior as a sign of
disinterest. The older Hispanic/Latino adult patient may terminate treatment if he
or she perceives that respect is not being shown.
• Personalismo (personal relationships):
Hispanics/Latinos tend to stress the
importance of personal relationships, which is why so many Hispanics/Latinos
continue to rely on community-based organizations and clinics for their primary
care. Hispanics/Latinos expect health providers to be warm, friendly, and
personal, and to take an active interest in the patient’s life. Ask about their life
(family, friends, and work) and share life stories and pictures. Hispanics/Latinos
typically prefer being closer to each other in space than non-Hispanic/Latino
Whites do. When non-Hispanic/Latino providers place themselves two feet or
more distance away from their Hispanic/Latino patients, they may be perceived
as not only physically distant but also uninterested and detached. Overcome
such perceptions by sitting closer, leaning forward, giving a comforting pat on the
shoulder, or other gestures that indicate an interest in the patient.
• Confianza (trust):
Over time, by respecting the patient’s culture and showing
personal interest, a healthcare provider can expect to win a patient’s
confianza
(trust). When there is
confianza
, Hispanics/Latinos will value the time they spend