Similarities and differences in cultural values between Iranian and Malaysian nursing students

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background: Cultural values are invisible and relatively constant in societies. The purpose of the present study is to find diversities in cultural values of Iranian and Malaysian nursing students.

Materials and Methods: Convenience sampling method was used for this comparative-descriptive study to gather the data from full-time undergraduate degree nursing students in Iran and Malaysia. The data were collected using Values Survey Module 2008 and were analyzed by independent t-test.

Results: The means of power distance, individualism, and uncertainty avoidance values were significantly different between the two study populations.

Conclusions: The academics should acknowledge diversities in cultural values, especially in power distance index, to minimize misconceptions in teaching-learning environments.

Key words: Cultural values, Iran, Malaysia, nursing students