Health equates to caring and harmony within a culture. It is a state of well-being that is culturally defined. World views, social structures, and cultural beliefs cannot be separated from the concepts of health, wellness and illness. The environment in which an individual participates in is key in maintaining optimal health. Since moving to the Lower Mainland, Janice has not been coping well. She is currently on medical leave from her job, and is experiencing anxiety attacks and insomnia. This in turn impacts on her management of the family.
Leininger's broad view of the environment includes technological, religious, philosophical, kinship, social, cultural, political, legal, economical, and educational systems. Janice's social network, family life and work situation all play a major role in her well-being. The disharmony between each area is causing further stress to Janice's optimal level of functioning.
Caring is the essence of nursing. Nursing care that is not congruent with the beliefs and values of a patient's culture will lead to noncompliance and stress. The health care professional therefore has to take into consideration all of the factors that pertain to each domain. The overall goal is to maintain an equilibrium between the indiviual's external stimuli as well as balancing the internal stimuli.
-Harmeet, April 2002
According to Leininger, 'man' is a social being within a culture. Needs are holistic, and include needs for both care and cure. Looking at the case study, this pertains to Janice in that she is now removed from her usual surroundings of having many friends in the interior to