Hwa-byung: Recommendations for Culturally Sensitive Diagnosis and Care

Hwa-byung refers to a suppressed anger syndrome that is specific to Korean culture and is found predominantly in middle-aged and older women. Because hwa-byung involves a complex mechanism of long-standing subjective anger that forms differently in Western cultures, an understanding of cultural dyna...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal for nurse practitioners 2022-02, Vol.18 (2), p.195-199
Main Authors: Cheon, Heesook, Cesario, Sandra K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anger
anger disorder
Anxiety
Behavior
Collectivism
Cultural sensitivity
Etiology
Health care
hwa-byung
Korean culture
Korean culture syndrome
Medical diagnosis
Medical personnel
Medical prognosis
Mental depression
Mental disorders
Middle age
Older people
Older women
Palpitations
Patients
Personality
Psychopathology
Sex roles
Socioeconomic factors
somatoform disorder
suppressed anger syndrome
Womens health
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Summary:Hwa-byung refers to a suppressed anger syndrome that is specific to Korean culture and is found predominantly in middle-aged and older women. Because hwa-byung involves a complex mechanism of long-standing subjective anger that forms differently in Western cultures, an understanding of cultural dynamics and etiology is warranted for health care providers to diagnose and treat this condition accurately. The cultural formulation interview developed by the American Psychiatric Association is an excellent tool to discover and discuss this culturally sensitive health condition. This study examines hwa-byung’s disease etiology, characteristics, assessment, differential diagnosis, treatment options, and prognosis. •Hwa-byung is a Korean culture-related syndrome associated with suppressed anger.•Somatic and behavioral symptoms are common in patients with hwa-byung.•Excessive and persistent anger is expressed in culturally acceptable ways.•Hwa-byung treatment options include pharmacotherapy with or without psychotherapy.
ISSN:1555-4155
1878-058X
DOI:10.1016/j.nurpra.2021.10.024