Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

What spiritual illness is associated with symptoms such as crying and loss of appetite in Latino/Hispanic culture?

1. Mal ojo or mal de ojo

2. Chronic nightmares

3. Trabajo

4. Malo

The correct answer is: Mal ojo or mal de ojo

Mal ojo, or mal de ojo, is a spiritual illness recognized within Latino/Hispanic culture, characterized by specific symptoms such as crying and loss of appetite. This condition is traditionally believed to result from the envy or admiration of others, where a person can suffer from unintentional harm caused by someone else's gaze or attention. The symptoms associated with mal ojo can include not only emotional signs like weeping but also physical manifestations such as changes in appetite, lethargy, or irritability. This highlights the cultural understanding of how spiritual beliefs can influence emotional and psychological well-being. In contrast, the other options describe different experiences or conditions that do not encapsulate the specific symptoms tied to mal ojo within this cultural context. Chronic nightmares might pertain more to psychological or sleep disorders, while trabajo refers to work-related stress or burdens, and malo is a general term that can mean 'bad' but does not specify an illness with defined symptoms. Thus, mal ojo stands out as the culturally recognized spiritual ailment that aligns with the presented symptoms of crying and loss of appetite.