British Sikh identity and the struggle for distinctiveness and continuity
by Rusi Jaspal
Jaspal, R. (in press). British Sikh identity and the struggle for distinctiveness and continuity. Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology.
**FOR A PDF OF FULL PAPER, E-MAIL ME**
Sikhs constitute a high proportion of the ethnic minority population in Britain. Yet, social psychologists have... more
Sikhs constitute a high proportion of the ethnic minority population in Britain. Yet, social psychologists have largely neglected this demographically important religious group, leaving much of the theorising to anthropologists and sociologists. The present study explores how a group of British-born Sikhs understood and defined their Sikh identities, focussing upon strategies for safeguarding the continuity and distinctiveness of this identity. Ten individuals were interviewed. Informed by identity process theory, the transcripts were subjected to thematic analysis. Three superordinate themes are reported, namely (i) “Freedom and gender equality”: the ‘essence’ of Sikh identity; (ii) “We are the followers of Guru Nanak”: continuing the legacy of the Gurus; and (iii) Maintaining group continuity and distinctiveness in a threatening social context. Theoretical and practical implications of the research are discussed, particularly in relation to intergroup relations.
Keywords: identity; religion; Sikhs; identity process theory; social representations theory
Download (.pdf) Punjabi Sikh Patients’ Perceived Barriers to Engaging in Physical Exercise Following Myocardial Infarction
by Paul Galdas
Galdas, P.M. Oliffe, J.L. Kang, H.B.K., Kelly, M.T.
Objective
The aim of this research was to describe Punjabi Sikh patients’ perceived barriers to engaging in... more
Objective
The aim of this research was to describe Punjabi Sikh patients’ perceived barriers to engaging in physical exercise following myocardial infarction (MI).
Design and Sample
A qualitative, interpretive descriptive methodology was used. The sample included 15 Punjabi Sikh patients who were attending a cardiac rehabilitation education program in an urban center of British Columbia, Canada, following MI.
Measurements
Data were collected via semi-structured interviews and were audio recorded, translated from Punjabi to English, and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using an interpretive thematic approach that involved a process of coding and constant comparison.
Results
Four key factors emerged that related to participants’ perceived barriers to sustained engagement in physical activity: (1) difficulty in determining safe exertion levels independently; (2) fatigue and weakness; (3) preference for ‘informal’ exercise; and (4) migration-related challenges.
Conclusions
The findings have implications for the design and delivery of health promotion strategies aimed at Punjabi Sikh patients’ post-MI that is contingent on the use of ‘formal’ exercise settings to promote regular physical activity. The willingness among Punjabi Sikh patients to practise brisk walking offers a positive direction that public health nurses and other healthcare professionals may want to capitalize on in the delivery of exercise-related health promotion.
Attitudes to polygamy in English law
by Prakash Shah
This paper is published in (2003) Vol. 52 International and Comparative Law Quarterly, pp. 359-400.
Canadian Punjabi Sikh men's experiences of lifestyle changes following myocardial infarction: cultural connections
by Paul Galdas
Paul M. Galdas, John L. Oliffe, Sabrina T. Wong , Pamela A.
Ratner, Joy L. Johnson & Mary T. Kelly
Objective. To describe how culture underlies Canadian Punjabi Sikh men's experiences of adopting lifestyle changes... more
Objective. To describe how culture underlies Canadian Punjabi Sikh men's experiences of adopting lifestyle changes following myocardial infarction (MI).
Design. Qualitative, interpretive design. In-depth, individual interviews were conducted with 27 Canadian Punjabi Sikh men post-MI. Data were analysed using constant comparative methods.
Results. Cultural influences were identified in Punjabi Sikh men's descriptions of their experience of adopting lifestyle changes. Actions related to self-care, rehabilitation and lifestyle change post-MI were embedded in collectivist family and community contexts. Three themes, derived from the data, were found to intertwine with these contexts; they related to food consumption, physical exercise and faith and religion.
Conclusion and implications. These findings highlight how collectivist ideals influence Canadian Punjabi Sikh men's adoption of lifestyle changes post-MI. The content and processes by which healthcare providers deliver heart health and rehabilitation to Canadian Punjabi Sikh men might be guided, at least in part, by the collectivist cultural practices underpinning our findings.
A narrative review of South Asian patients’ experiences of cardiac rehabilitation
by Paul Galdas
Paul M Galdas,
Pamela A Ratner
John L Oliffe
Aims and objectives. To review the empirical literature relating to South Asian patients’ experiences of cardiac... more
Aims and objectives. To review the empirical literature relating to South Asian patients’ experiences of cardiac rehabilitation.
Background. Individuals of South Asian origin (originating from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, or Sri Lanka) have increased risk of coronary heart disease-related mortality and morbidity. Low levels of cardiac rehabilitation participation have been reported among South Asian groups in several English-speaking countries.
Design. Narrative review.
Methods. Primary research evidence published in English between 1999–2010 obtained using pre-defined search criteria in electronic databases MEDLINE, CINAHL, PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar and PsycINFO.
Results. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria for review. Four prominent themes were identified in the literature related to: (1) exercise; (2) culture and religion; (3) programme access and structure; (4) communication and language.
Conclusions. The emerging themes distilled from the review encompass several factors associated with South Asian patients’ experiences of cardiac rehabilitation that are commensurate with low uptake and poor adherence. However, few researchers have disaggregated their data by ethnic origin to describe what might best meet the needs of South Asian patients. Further research is needed to thoughtfully address issues of uptake of and compliance with cardiac rehabilitation by South Asian patients and to support the development of culturally sensitive and safe CR programmes.
Relevance to clinical practice. The findings from this review can help nurses to develop guidelines for the design and delivery of culturally competent South Asian cardiac rehabilitation programmes. Important considerations related to physical exercise, language and communication preferences, religious and cultural needs and programme access and structure, need to be addressed in a culturally relevant and culturally sensitive manner to enhance the uptake and efficacy of cardiac rehabilitation for South Asian individuals.