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
It involves. “self awareness, knowledge of the other culture & flexibility and appropriate skills”
Who are the First Australians?
Aborigines: a term for the natives in Australia
Indigenous: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people
How long have they been here?
60,000 years
Indigenous Identity:
Who is an Indigenous person?
The one who identify with the Ind population…. Don’t go by the colour of the skin / race.
Cultural diversity among the Ind people: Many clans / mobs
Different languages, traditions / cultures.
Different levels of acculturation (as a result of exposure to mainstream)
DO NOT ASUMME THAT THEY ARE ALL ALIKE.
Acculturation
It is the process of cultural and psychological change that results following meeting between cultures (majority and minority)
An individual or groups of people adapt by borrowing beliefs, traits or behaviors from another culture
In general minorities adapt more
Levels of acculturation (or adaptation varies)
Some past tradtions (may see some in remote areas)
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
Child Rearing Practices
Child rearing practices are very different from the 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
Learning styles
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 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 Emphasis on the concept of shame
Communication style
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
Concept of Well being
Ngarlu (inner spirit) is located in the stomach, which is the centre for emotions and well being
Mental health as Holistic
Mental ill health takes into account entirety of one’s experiences, including spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, social & cultural states (no mind body dichotomy)
In the case of a conflict – very important to resolve
Beliefs about Health & Mental Health issues
External Locus of Control
Indigenous Clients tend to externalise their health / mental health issues. Can be due to:
Bad luck
Cultural wrong doing
Pay back
Spell
Some common mental health issues
Alcohol and substance abuse
Domestic violence:
Aboriginal women & violence: assaults from partner, spouse or larger group of relative.
Child sexual abuse: Victims abused by non Indigenous institutional staff, foster homes, foster parents, cattle station owners, farmers, and by Indigenous themselves
Long term effects: sexual dysfunction, destructive behaviour, low self esteem, depression, dissociation & PTSD.
Very sensitive issue for Aboriginal pop.
Mental Health issues: Depression, suicide & self harm: second most common cause of death among male Ind.
Psychosocial issues: Feuds and conflicts: Not a culture of Indigenous population. It is a result if competition for resources.
Culturally Bound Syndrome
Mimic Mental disorders classified by the Western literature
Longing for the country
See Spirits
Think that they are cursed & someone is giving them a hard time
Self harm & grief due to “sorry time”
Suicidal (can be copy cat)
Acculturative stress due to interacting with majority
Understanding background issues in health
Barriers in getting health services Limited knowledge Distance Services inconsistent with needs Social/ cultural factors
Psychological services:
Services are sought as a last resort
Referrals are second or third hand
Essential to use cultural consultants / interpreters
Vouching
Psychological Assessment
Interview
Observation & Mental Status Examination
Formal & Informal Assessment
