Cultural Diversity
ELDER Project
Fairfield University School of Nursing
Jamaican Culture
Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of
Nursing Grant#D62HP06858
Jamaican Culture
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the
participants will be able to ….
 Discuss the role of religion, traditional health care beliefs,
social values, and family structure of Jamaican Culture and
the impact these factors have on health care.
 Identify specific culturally sensitive practices that can be
incorporated into your work with Jamaican patients and
Jamaican American patients.
 Identify similarities and differences between the Jamaican
and Haitian cultures.
Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of
Nursing Grant#D62HP06858
Jamaican Culture
Introduction:
 The Jamaican culture is often identified with that of
African Americans; however, they have a distinct history
and culture of their own.
 Most Jamaicans are descendants of British-owned slaves
from Africa, accounting for the blend of British and African
traditions.
 Their history of slavery and resistance to it has lead them to develop
independent spirits.
 Jamaicans are known for being hard workers with a strong respect
for education.
 Factors that prompted this culture group to come to the
U.S. included a decline in the Jamaican economy,
unemployment and unequal distribution of land within a
primarily agricultural
nation.
Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division
of
Nursing Grant#D62HP06858
Jamaican Culture
Introduction:
 The country of Jamaica is a West Indian island located
near the center of the Caribbean Sea.
 It is among the group of islands that comprise the
Greater Antilles (the others are Cuba, Haiti,
Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico) and is the
largest of the English–speaking islands in the region.
 It is roughly the same size as Connecticut.
Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of
Nursing Grant#D62HP06858
Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of
Nursing Grant#D62HP06858
Jamaican Culture
Introduction:
 Brief Timeline:
 1494 – Columbus discovers the island on his way to Cuba.


Originally inhabited by the Anwak or Tianos (who possibly came
from Guayna).
They were treated poorly by the Spaniards and within 50 years
the natives all died, thus began the slave trade from Africa.
 1655 – Spanish surrendered the Island to the British (Sir
Oliver Cromwell) and they established a plantation economy
 1807 – Slave trade abolished
 1838 – Slave were freed from slavery
 1962 – Jamaica
became
a free independent
nation
Supported
by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division
of
Nursing Grant#D62HP06858
Jamaican Culture
Communication:
 Greeting and acknowledgment of a person’s presence is an
important part of Jamaican culture.
 Use of titles of Miss, Mrs. And Mr. before one’s name is
important.
 In less formal settings title precedes a first name only.
Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of
Nursing Grant#D62HP06858
Jamaican Culture
Family and Social Structure:
 Families are strong and loyal and a great importance is
placed on the sense of duty and responsibility toward the
family.
 The extended family is the traditional family model, with
members all living in the same house and involved in child
rearing.
 Contemporary Jamaican families are becoming more nuclear.
 Kinship bonds extend to close friends and neighbors who
contribute to raising children.
Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of
Nursing Grant#D62HP06858
Jamaican Culture
Family and Social Structure:
 Marriage is the norm and Jamaicans are encouraged to
marry within their own socioeconomic class.
 Cohabitation is frowned upon because it does not give
legitimacy to children, it lowers the family status and is
viewed as immoral.
 The woman is the primary financial provider for the family.
 The male is sometimes viewed as not reliable or not involved
in the family.
Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of
Nursing Grant#D62HP06858
Jamaican Culture
Family and Social Structure:
 The oldest child is often responsible for keeping the family
intact.
 The oldest male is seen as a surrogate father.
 The oldest female is considered the caregiver and decision
maker for aging parents.
 It is not unusual to have siblings and extended family
participate in consultations with health professionals.
 Final decisions are those of the oldest sibling.
 Education is valued because it is a means of upward
mobility from the lower class.
Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of
Nursing Grant#D62HP06858
Jamaican Culture
View of Illness:
 Health is considered the presence or absence of illness.
 Illness is viewed as a punishment for wrongdoing or sin,
which causes great shame and guilt.
 This punishment is believed to be passed on to next
generation as well as the victim.
 Natural causes for illnesses and disabilities are generally
accepted by the more sophisticated.
 Illness is seen more as a mistake from the medical
professionals or a failure of the body to heal itself.
 Those who accept this belief seek out the help of the medical
professional to alleviate suffering and find cures.
Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of
Nursing Grant#D62HP06858
Jamaican Culture
View of Illness:
 Obeah or Guzu is the belief that supernatural forces can be
the cause of good and evil, health or sickness.
 Any illness that can not be explained by medical intervention
is considered to be a result of Obeah.
 This may prompt the use of rituals, herbs, baths and oils for
anointing the body.
 Recitation of biblical scripture may take place as well.
Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of
Nursing Grant#D62HP06858
Jamaican Culture
Folk Medicine:
 Some Jamaicans may tend to self-medicate before seeking a
physician.
 Spiritual herbalists believe the use of herbs and religious
ritual can enhance the body’s ability to fight illness.
 Elders have a great deal of herbal wisdom and will combine
their beliefs with traditional medicine.
Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of
Nursing Grant#D62HP06858
Jamaican Culture
Folk Medicine:
 Herbs are also used for health maintenance.
 For example, Senna, Epson salt or castor oil is used to cleanse
the bowel of worms and purifying the body.
 A variety of cultural remedies may be used to treat
illnesses, such as:
 “bush tea” (herbal remedy) for gastrointestinal disorders
 papaya juice for ulcers
 hot peppers for hypertension
 Those who lack financial resources are forced to use home
remedies.
Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of
Nursing Grant#D62HP06858
Jamaican Culture
Dietary Habits:
 A large amount of carbohydrates such as rice, yams, sweet
potatoes, bananas, plantains and peas are consumed.
 Protein consumption is that of fish, beef, pork, poultry and
goat.
 Usually eaten in small portions.
 American Jamaicans tend to consume more meat and larger
portions.
 Active lifestyle in Jamaica helps metabolize the
carbohydrates and fats in the diet.
 In the U.S. there is more of a sedentary lifestyle which
subjects this culture group to cardiovascular disease and
diabetes.
Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of
Nursing Grant#D62HP06858
Jamaican Culture
Religious Beliefs:
 Religion is an integral part of life, dating back to the times
of slavery.
 Many are involved in a great deal of church related activities,
such as prayer meetings, bible study and choir practice.
 Religious education is included in all levels of education.
 Church attendance strengthens the extended family and
kinship bonds.
 The church is a source of information, emotional and
financial support and serves as a social outlet.
Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of
Nursing Grant#D62HP06858
Jamaican Culture
Religious Beliefs:
 Jamaicans are affiliated with many religions and sects
resulting in more than 100 Christian religious practices.
 Many identify themselves predominately as Protestants with a
small percentage of Roman Catholic.
 There are a number of religions of African origin, usually
blended with Christian ideology.
 Church membership is related to social class.
 Upper and middle class gravitate towards stoical and non-
emotional religions such as Anglican or Methodist.
Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of
Nursing Grant#D62HP06858
Jamaican Culture
Conclusion:
 Jamaicans are rich in cultural tradition and ethnic diversity.
 The national motto, “Out of many, one people” represents
the population’s multi-racial roots from Africa, Europe,
China, East India and the Middle East.
 Although many Jamaican Americans are naturalized
citizens, they often wrestle with the issue of split national
allegiance to Jamaica and the United States.
Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of
Nursing Grant#D62HP06858
Reference
 Jamaican History. Retrieved on April 7th, 2010 from
http://www.discoverjamaica.com/gleaner/discover/geogra
phy/history1.htm
 The World Factbook: Jamaica. Retrieved on April 7th, 2010
from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-worldfactbook/geos/jm.html
 Miller, D. (2002). An Introduction to Jamaican Culture for
Rehabilitation Services Providers. Retieved January 11, 2011
from http://cirrie.buffalo.edu/monographs/jamaica.php.
Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of
Nursing Grant#D62HP06858
Power Point Presentation
Created by:
Joyce Cunneen, MSN, RN
Fairfield University School of Nursing
ELDER Project Education Coordinator
Monica Starr, BSN, RN
Fairfield University School of Nursing
ELDER Project Program Coordinator
Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of
Nursing Grant#D62HP06858