Culture, Religion, and Child Health: Implications for Family-Centered Pediatric Nursing Practice: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Culture and religion influence many aspects of child health, including parenting practices, nutrition, healthcare-seeking behaviour, communication, and treatment decisions. As societies become increasingly diverse, pediatric nurses frequently care for children and families with different cultural and religious backgrounds. Understanding these influences is essential for providing respectful, family-centered, and culturally responsive care. This narrative review examines the current literature on the role of cultural and religious beliefs in child health and discusses their implications for pediatric nursing practice. A narrative literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. English-language articles published between 2000 and 2025 were reviewed, with selected landmark publications included where relevant. The literature was analysed thematically. The review shows that cultural beliefs influence parenting practices, nutritional behaviors, communication, developmental expectations, and healthcare utilization. Religious and spiritual beliefs affect coping strategies, treatment choices, adherence to therapy, and family decision-making during childhood illness. Evidence also highlights the importance of cultural competence, cultural humility, cultural safety, and family-centered care in improving pediatric health outcomes. Pediatric nurses should routinely assess cultural and spiritual needs, encourage family participation, and provide culturally appropriate health education. Integrating these principles into everyday nursing practice can strengthen therapeutic relationships, improve treatment adherence, and contribute to better child health outcomes.