Cultural Considerations for Autonomy and Medical Adherence in a Young Palestinian American Muslim Female With Spina Bifida: A Longitudinal Case Study in a Research Context

This case study examines the unique presentation of a young Palestinian American Muslim female who is a part of an ongoing longitudinal study examining family and peer relationships, psychological adjustment, and neuropsychological functioning in youth with spina bifida. Throughout 10 years of data collection, Palestinian-Arab culture and Islamic faith have consistently emerged as important factors that can be considered when interpreting this participant’s general level of autonomy, medical autonomy, medical adherence, and psychological adjustment. This case study examines important aspects of adaptive and independent functioning for youth with spina bifida and how this family’s culture interacts with these different domains of functioning. In order to fully capture this family’s distinct lived experience, this case study reviews both quantitative data and qualitative data, highlighting the importance of considering context when performing clinical research. Moreover, it explores potential conflicts between an Arab collectivist family structure and Western biomedical ethics and suggests how clinicians might navigate these conflicts and bolster culturally rooted strengths of families and patients from non-Western backgrounds.