12. Working with the first Australians: Culturally Sensitive Assessment Flashcards
What is cultural competence?
It is the ability of practitioners to identify, intervene and treat mental health complaints in ways that recognise the central role that culture plays in un wellness
What does cultural competence involve?
self awareness, knowledge of other cultures and skills
What does ‘aborigines’ mean?
a term for the natives in Australia
What dies indigenous mean?
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
How long have aborigines and torres strait islander people been here?
60 000 years
Who is an indigenous peoson?
a person who identify with the Indigenous population
Why is the indigenous population so culturally diverse?
Because there are many clans and mobs, different languages, traditions/cultures, different levels of acculturation
What is an important thing to remember when considering indigenous australians?
Not to assume that they are all alike
What is acculturation?
the process of cultural and psychological change that results following meeting between two cultures (majority and minority)
How may an individual or group of people adapt to other cultures?
by borrowing beliefs, traits or behaviours from that other cultures
Who adapts more?
In general, minorities do
What are the levels of acculturation for indigenous people?
Note acculturated - not exposed to the Western cultures or English
Acculturated - exposed to Western culture and proficient in English
What are some past traditions of indigenous people?
- Semi-nomadic life (pre colonisation)
- People & place connection
- Spiritual beliefs
- Sacred sites
- Kinship and family
- Specific roles
- Skin name
- Collectivism
- Gender: men world and a women world
- Sharing: Vital factor in the community.
- Traditional lifestyle: Self sufficient. Give and receive gifts.
- Death : Mourned. Public and private grieving. Personal mutilation as a apart of mourning. The name of the deceased not used for a long time. Important people are mourned for a longer time..
- Hierarchy – elders & lawmen play an important role
How are children rearing practices in indigenous cultures different from anglo-australian culture
- Children are brought up by mother, siblings and other extended family members
- Children taught to be self sufficient –often on their own and may appear to be impulsive
- High emphasis on sharing
How are learning styles different in indigenous cultures than ango-australian cultures?
- Learn by imitation / modelling
- Process information and will perform a task when confident about success
- Practical rather than abstract
- Visual & hands on
- No competition
- Numbers 1,2 or many
- Emphasis on the concept of shame
How is the sense of time different for indigenous cultures than ango-australian cultures?
Time (no past-present-future. A person is in the centre of time circles, Events are placed in a circular pattern of time more important events to the person/community are perceived closer
How do communication styles differ in indigenous cultures?
- No eye contact due to respect for the other person
- No invasion of space
- No direct question (especially when the other person may not know the answer)
- Use titles (not first names)
- Don’t use names. Fred Smith said… Better to say I heard from people.
- Don’t ask people for name. Ask someone else what the name of the person is.
- When asking for people: ask by their formal titles (Chairperson).
- Greet elders first
- Have to be invited in the house / community
- Give the other person time to think reflect
- May say yes.. yes (just to get rid of you).
- Show distress in a non verbal manner
- Men will talk to men about their matters and women to women
- Self disclosure important (before you try to collect information)
- Very uncomfortable when put “on spot”.
- Indirect, open ended questions work better
What is the Ngarlu?
Ngarlu (inner spirit) is located in the stomach, which is the centre for emotions and well being
How do indigneous people see mental health?
Holisitc
What does mental health take into account according to indigenous people?
Mental ill health takes into account entirety of one’s experiences, including spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, social & cultural states (no mind body dichotomy)
When is mental ill health important to resolve?
In the case of conflict
Why do indigenous clients tend to externalise their heath/mental issues?
- Bad luck
- Cultural wrong doing
- Pay back
- Spell
What are some major mental health issues?
- Alcohol and substance abuse
- Domestic violence:
- Aboriginal women & violence
- Child sexual abuse
- Mental Health issues
- Psychosocial issues: Feuds and conflicts
What is the issue of aboriginal women and violence?
assaults from partner, spouse or larger group of relative
What is the issue of child sexual abuse?
Victims abused by non Indigenous institutional staff, foster homes, foster parents, cattle station owners, farmers, and by Indigenous themselves
What are the long term effects of child sexual abuse?
sexual dysfunction, destructive behaviour, low self esteem, depression, dissociation & PTSD.
What is a very sensitive issue for the indigenous population?
Chlild sexual abuse
What are mental health issues?
Depression, suicide & self harm: second most common cause of death among male Ind.