Aspects of Coping with Disease in some Roma Communities of Romania
Aspects of Coping with Disease in some Roma Communities of Romania

Summary/Abstract: The traditional Roma people live in a world filled with their taboos, cultural values and laws that rule all aspects of their lives. In Roma culture, disease has a complex and mystic significance. The disease, the hospital and medical stuff are considered impure (pollution). Coping with disease is a complex process which can be effective or ineffective,as it decrease or increase stress level, depression or anxiety. The paper offers the doctors that provide medical care to Roma patient information about psychological problems caused by disease, religious coping and the importance of family as a psychological resource. There are presented the results of a qualitative study that consisted of taking 48 semi-structured interviews within Roma communities residing in two of Romania’s counties, Cluj and Iaşi. The results of the study could offer the medical stuff a better understanding of Roma behaviour in case of illness and could facilitate pacient-centered medical care and cultural targeted care.

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