Discuss cultural issues in relation to diagnosing disorders Flashcards
What is the main cultural issue and what does this effect?
The usefulness of DSM across different cultures is an issue which affects both the validity and reliability of DSM.
What study supported the argument that the DSM is useful for all cultures?
Lee (2006) tested the validity of using DSM on Korean children using a cross cultural study and found that it was a valid tool for diagnosing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Korea as well as in the USA.
How has the DSM acknowledged that there are cultural issues with it?
DSM IV does now take into account cultural issues as it acknowledges what are called ‘culture bound syndromes’. That is, that mental illness may only occur in certain cultures.
Give an example of research that found cultural differences in mental illness?
Banyard discussed research which demonstrates how penis panics can be seen as a disorder in some cultures whereby males believe that their penis will retract into their body. This mental disorder is known as genital retraction syndrome and can be found mainly in Africa. It is believed that the origin of the idea may be from witchcraft.
What study refutes the validity of the DSM due to cultural issues.
Some patients may not be willing to release certain information about themselves. For example Casas (1995) found that African Americans were much less likely to admit that they had a problem and discuss this with a therapist. This reduces the validity of the diagnostic tool as information will not be available for the psychiatrist to make a diagnosis.
