2. Cultural context Flashcards
culture
shared behavioural patterns and value systems
shared experiences and meanings that result in values, beliefs and practices that are distinctly different from those found in other cultures
race
groups characterised by certain physical features, may or may not coincide with a cultural system shared by the group
ethnicity
social groups that distinguish themselves from other groups by a common historical path, behaviour norms and their own group identity
group of people that share a common culture although individual expressions will vary
culture exists on two levels
observable phenomena or patterns of life within a community
internal realm- the organised system of knowledge and beliefs that allows a group to structure its experiences and choose alternatives
enculturation
every individual learns a language, religion or other meaning system specifying the operation of forces of nature in the world as well as means of behaviour and patterns of experiencing the enviornment
organisation of culture has its psychobiological correlates in the organisation of brain
culture specific neural organisations influence most aspects of cognitive processes for individuals in form of cognitive schemas
types of cultural behaviours
ideal
actual
stereotypical
deviated
etic evaluation
performed by a clinician who is outside of the cultural system
emic evaluation
performed by a clinician who is within the cultural system
culture contributes to differences in
prevalence of mental illness
aetiology and course of disease
phenomenology or expression of distress
diagnostic and assessment issues
coping styles and help seeking
treatment and intervention issues
culture can shape
psychopathology (delusion content, shame or guilt)
variations of psychopathology (non fat concerned anorexia)
unique psychopathology- culture bound syndrome
assessment and interpretation
ADDRESSING framework
Age and generational differences
Developmental or acquired
Disabilities
Religion and spiritual orientation
Ethnicity
Socioeconomic status
Sexual orientation
Indigenous heritage
National origin
Gender
Hwang cultural domains to target
dynamic issues and cultural complexities
orienting clients to psychopathology and increasing MH awareness
understanding cultural beliefs about MI, causes and what constitutes appropriate treatment
improving client-therapist relationship
understanding cultural differences in the expression and communication of distress
addressing cultural issues specific to the population
FP- practitioner factors
Own biases/ prejudices
- Ascertain impact of ethnicity, age,
gender, hierarchy, lore issues etc.
- Determine if these impact the
client’s presentation
- Consider cultural validity of
assessment, appropriate
engagement strategies, and cultural
safety of information
- Impact of cultural differences on
assessment
- Assess across environments,
triangulate data, appropriate
informants
- Is there evidence of symptom
variation for major disorders
- Can the symptoms be interpreted
differently based on cultural
differences in how symptoms
manifest?
- Minimise the impact of cultural
differences by activating cultural
supports or consultants, healers,
ALO’s etc.
FP- Individual client factors
- Do homework on the community
background, speak with relevant community
members and colleagues to understand the
community landscape (i.e., traditional
owners, history etc). - Ascertain a clients’ sense of normal and
differential functioning through a cultural
lens - Identify client’s roles responsibilities and
protective factors (i.e., Kinship, cultural map,
genogram) - Assess belief system (e.g., Acculturation
scales by Westerman) - Cultural Identity: Understand the clients’
connectedness to culture (think of this as a
spectrum).
Is the description of the presenting
problem/s clinically and culturally convincing
and consistent? - Does client use language of origin to
describe stressor - Do the beliefs and cognitions cause distress
- What is the clients’ views on the cause of
the problem
Does the client see the distress as requiring
a cultural solution, mainstream intervention,
mix of both, or mainstream adapted?
FP- Community factors
Ascertain what behaviours are deemed
appropriate by the community (i.e.,
community norms).
- Access relevant community members to
make sense of culture (e.g., local ACCHO,
healers, elders, health workers, lore men
etc.).
- The role of historical, cultural, political, and
social factors and how this may influence
each community differently
Severity of the problem in the context
of cultural norms within the community
(e.g., sorry cutting).
- Explore the context (especially the
health and wellbeing) of the community
(e.g., dry communities, cluster suicides,
defense force presence, racism, intra-
family discord, youth crime etc.)
