Issues related to specific populations Flashcards
African American Family Structure
high variability.
Both Flexible and hierarchical. Often run my mom and grandma is often important
African American Disapline
Strict and physical is common
Black Communication
Direct, somewhat offenseive to white culture.
Is often seen as caring by family members. Base judgment on effect of communication on others not on your perceptions.
Achievment/School
Although barriers exist in the schools parents encourage achievment.
Societal Challenges
poverty,crime, drugs, unemployment
Strengths
Strong family bonds. Care for elders. Flexibility. Spiritual/relgious ties.
Theraputic relationship
Mistrust for non black therapists may exist. Should openly discuss race relations.
Native American (NA) location
Great variability based on tribe. Majority of NA live in urban/suburban areas, not reservations
NA history
Opression = misturst of non NA agencies
Tribal Culture
Collectivistic.
Self as extension of tribe.
Cultural norms and relationship with tribe should be taken into account in theraputic decision making
NA law
Law = different on tribal land
NA Family Structure
Variable based on tribe.
Strong role for women high fertility out of wedlock. Close connections with extended family.
Tribal Therapy
Do not go against tribal beliefs. Involve family and tribal elders in treatment.
Non verbals NA
Learning occurs through listening. Direct eye contact/questions should be avoided especially with elders/authority figures
client centered NA
best approach in begining. Give time to finish statements/thoughts.
Traditional Healing
vision quest, sweat lodge = resoration of harmony between mind body and spirit
Values NA
Tribe and family come first over work and school.
Cooperation NA
Very strong value. may cause the avoidance of argument/disagreement
Violence NA
Domestic/sexual voilence = 4x rate of other populations
Substance abuse NA
Community focused programs have shown success
Asian
A ton of variability here. Between asian groups and within them regarding values, language etc
“model Minority” Asian
face signifcant discrimination
Pysical/Psycholgoical Asian
Large connection here. Pyschological states are caused by physical causes. Treating physical can cure psych
Asian Underutilizaiton
Shame, somatitization can cause Asian Americans to avoid psychiatric services
Asian Family Structure
Males = Higher Status
Authoritatiran, psycial verbal punishment.
Guilt and Shame used to control children behaviors. Males have strong allegiance to birth parents
Values Asian
Collectivism. Decisions need to be made based on family harmony. Family wishes should be considered.
Children Asian
expected to behave to preserve family honor.
Childhood Struggles Asian
Common issues: parental conflict, guild, stress over academics, identity issues, negative self image, struggle between independene and interdependence
Vocational Values
Strong ephasis on school and vocational achivment.
Emotions Asian
Displays of emotion are discouraged. Open verbalization of feelings may be uncomfortable. Should say something like “some people might feel sad to leave thier home land”
Approach Asian
Should be problem focused. Active role should be taken by therapist, as well as checking in and getting client feedback.
Latio Demogrphics
Much variability in background between and within Latino groups.
Family structure LA
Hierachal, elders and male figures
Extended Family LA
Family and friends are very important and are relied upon during psych stress.
Gender roles LA
Machismo- male dominance and strength.
Marianismo- sefl sacrificing, nurturing and submissive.
Genderal roles and american culture LA
Stress can occur when gender roles to not align with societal roles. Ie male not being able to get a high paying job.
Greeting/Therapist role LA
Warm and respectful. once trusted therapist become like a family member w/o dependency or boundary crossing
Family Values LA
Similar to those above. Family over everything.
Child expectation LA
Respect parents especially restriction on adolescent females. Teen pregnancy/marrige are high
School LA
Testing is low drop out rates are high
Acculturation LA
Transition can cause lack of social/personal resposbility and high gang membership in some areas where family support is less present.
Religion LA
very strong often. catholic, fatalistic ie everything is predetermined.”even though this was meant to happen how can you deal with it now?
Immigrants LA
ensure them that immigration status will not be communicated to the authorities.
Acculturation/Stress LA
Have them share thier story/ background. These cultural changes can cause stress.
Family Structure LA
can be damaged when kids acculturate faster and more willingly than parents.
Barriers to service LA
Language, lack of understanding
avialbility LA
hospitals local clinics for low income people will accept anyone regardless of immigration status.
Refugees
At greater risk due to seriousness of leaving thier home. PTSD and lack of social support may be common.
LGBT
Hetero language should be avoided to avoid making assumptions.
Ask about a “partner” make sure intake/interview procedures are also free of heterosexist language. Allow a place to indicate orienation.
Hate crimes
PTSD/Depression
assumptions
do not assume that problems are due to orenation, just keep your ears perked if these areas need to be addressed.
Hetero does not = LGBT
ie do not give them books on hetero relationships
Common Issues LGBT
Suicide, come out or not? distress due to harrassment, lack of social support etc.
Come out?
Counselors can help the understand pros and cons. ie anger or rejection vs. isolation and low self-esteem
Adolecents/Young Adults LGBT
Must also consider if they are reliant on family for $ and social support. Also personal safety issues and high risk sexual behaviors.
Therapist bias LGBT
Examine your own bias and be aware of:
- assuming all clients are hetero
- failure to recognize/aknowledge impact of societal response to LGBT & effects on psychological symptoms
- Thinking of LGBT as a mental illness and encouraging clients to change orientation
- viewing LGBT as primarily sexuality based and not acknowledging long term relationships
- failutre to understand the social and psych conseqnces of keeping the secret and coming out.
Male Centered Counseling therories
Most are this way. Be aware of societal messages on the self eteem and mental health of women.
Sexism
be aware of societal oppression and how this interacts with sexism
Examine bias
ie many personality disorder focus on female gender characteristics.
Sexism/Expectations
Do not make sexist assumptions. Sexism impacts expectatios for girls and women. Devaluation of women is common on the societal level. Many parents/educators subconsiously renfioce these gender restrictive roles and behavior for females.
psychological/phsiolocical impact sexist
health and wellness, menstruation, birth contorl, pregnancy, miscarrige, infertility, childbirth, lacvatation, childcare, balancing multiple roles, pressure to be thin and other standards of beauty, discrimination in the work place and discriminationbased on age and gender.
violence/sexual
Common and is associated with risk factors such as drinking, suicide, eating disorder and early sexual activity.
glass cieling
women still earn less on average then men.
Career sexism
Women often find it hard to break gender roles in career environments. Often they lack mentoring, and camaraderie.
Depression female
high rates may be due to body image, socioeconomic stress, focus on relationships and equating relationship failure to personal failure.
interventions
career counseling, connection with mentors, assertivness training, general role analysis and same gender support groups.
Elderly
Assume competence. Pay close attention to medication/interactions. Also ask family members and health care providers regarding their issues.
suicide/depression
elderly adults are at higher risk!
