CULTURAL DETERMINANTS OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PRACTICES IN SEMI-URBAN INDIAN COMMUNITIES

Authors

  • Dr. Rajesh Kumar Mourya Head & Assistant Professor, R K College Madhubni, LNMU Darbhanga, Bihar

Keywords:

Behavioral Health, Cultural Determinants, Semi-Urban India, Mental Health Practices, Traditional Beliefs, Public Health, Social Norms, Indigenous Knowledge, Health Behavior, Community Health

Abstract

Behavioral health outcomes in India are deeply influenced by cultural norms, beliefs, and social structures, especially in semi-urban areas where traditional values intersect with modern lifestyles. This study investigates how cultural determinants shape behavioral health practices in semi-urban Indian communities, including approaches to mental well-being, hygiene, addiction, and healthcare-seeking behavior. A mixed-methods cross-sectional survey was conducted among 450 individuals across five semi-urban districts in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The findings reveal that cultural beliefs around karma, gender roles, familial hierarchy, and religious customs significantly influence individual attitudes towards emotional expression, psychological treatment, and preventive health behavior. Traditional healers, caste-based perceptions, and community rituals were also identified as major influencers. The paper draws upon theoretical models from cultural psychiatry and health behavior to interpret findings and includes a case study demonstrating how a local intervention leveraged cultural symbols to promote mental health awareness. The study underscores the need for culturally adapted behavioral health programs in India’s transitioning communities

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Published

2025-10-25

How to Cite

Dr. Rajesh Kumar Mourya. (2025). CULTURAL DETERMINANTS OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PRACTICES IN SEMI-URBAN INDIAN COMMUNITIES. International Journal of Behavioral Social and Movement Sciences Established in March 2014 | Published Quarterly (March, June, September, December), 12(04), 37–44. Retrieved from https://ijobsms.org/index.php/ijobsms/article/view/521

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 04 (2023): OCT-DEC 2023

Section

Articles

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