There is evidence that religion and other cultural influences are associated with the presentation of obsessive-compulsive symptoms, as well as beliefs and assumptions presumed to underlie the development and maintenance of these symptoms. We sought to further examine the relationship between Protestant religiosity and (1) various symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) (e.g., checking,...

The reasons behind the cultural persistence of religious beliefs throughout human history and prehistory still generate unanswered questions requiring scientific explanations. Within the framework of the cognitive science of religion, this article reviews experimental evidence supporting human predisposition for religious thinking and focuses on the hypothesis that a reason why religious belief...

Background Program goals: To address two prevailing root causes of HIV-related stigma and discrimination in Afghan society: (a) lack of accurate knowledge and information on HIV and (b) misconceptions regarding Islamic principles and cultural beliefs Target audiences: Health workers, youth, prisoners, prison staff members (medical and nonmedical), religious leaders, and media representatives Pr...

Article points 1. Variations in health beliefs, socio-cultural values, religious preferences, locus of control, family and their social networks influence South Asians’ diabetes management and their engagement with diabetes-related risks. 2. The aim of this study was to develop a conceptual model on risk perception among older South Asian people with type 2 diabetes in the UK. 3. As risk percep...

Acceptance and compliance with screening and genetic programs for genetic illness depends crucially on the compatibility and fit of their design with the social, cultural and religious concerns and mores of target communities. As a case in point, genetic screening programs that are currently in use within Jewish populations are considered on the background of ethical and religious concerns. Imp...

The aim of this paper is to expand upon the conclusions reached by Orr and Genesen in their 1997 article (published in this journal), Requests for 'inappropriate' treatment based on religious beliefs. Assuming, with Orr and Genesen, that claims made in the name of religion are not absolute, I will propose some principles for determining when claims based on religious beliefs or cultural sensibi...

This paper lays out an evolutionary theory for the cognitive foundations and cultural emergence of the extravagant displays (e.g., ritual mutilation, animal sacrifice and martyrdom) that have so tantalized social scientists, as well as more mundane actions that influence cultural learning and historical processes. In Part I, I use the logic of natural selection to build a theory for how and why...

This research sought to develop a palliative care measurement tool that could track and measure the rendering of care by informal caregivers to dying persons across the diversity of South African cultural and religious groups. This mixed method research led to the development of an instrument consisting of a one-dimensional domain, eight sub-items and 56 scores against which care can be numeric...

Individuals’ self administration of medication is an essential component of disease management because incorrect and incomplete medication can result in increased morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs and also spreads drug resistance. Its impact is necessarily wider than just medical and includes the cultural and managerial considerations which govern success in medical interventions. This ...