THE INFLUENCE OF CULTURE IN CLINICAL CONTEXTS

Workshop for Argosy University, Clinical Psychology Program March 12, 2010

Presented by: Julie R. Ancis, Ph.D

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EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
To examine culturally influenced values of traditional and contemporary counseling approaches. To examine how social and cultural factors impact diverse populations. To move towards the development of culturally responsive and effective clinical interventions.
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DEMOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY
High immigration rates, differential birthrates, new immigrants, greater portion of Americans speaking language other than English at home. Census Bureau Projections.

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CLINICAL PRACTICE
Underutilization of Traditional Outpatient Services by American Indians, Asian Americans, African Americans, & Hispanics (high dropout, infrequent use of therapy, poor levels of functioning at end of tx).
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Factors Related to Underutilization of Services Include

Barriers such as societal stigma. Alternative helping networks such as the extended family, clergy, or traditional healers. Lack of bilingual or multilingual staff. Culturally inconsistent treatment modalities. Prejudicial attitudes among mental health professionals. Fear (e.g., disclosure of sexual orientation, reporting of domestic abuse).
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MYTH OF DISTRESS Experience and Expression of Distress are Equivalent Across Cultures.

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CULTURE-BOUND SYNDROMES
Development of a unique psychopathology, or a collection of signs and symptoms, observed only in a certain cultural environment (Prince & TchengLaRoche, 1987).

DSM-IV-TR (2000). Glossary of Culture-Bound Syndromes Recurrent, locality-specific patterns of aberrant behavior and troubling experience that may or may not be linked to a particular DSM-IV diagnostic category.
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 Ancis, J. R. (2004). (Ed.). Culturally Responsive Interventions: Innovative Approaches to Working with Diverse Populations. New York: Brunner-Routledge. Ancis, J. R., & Jongsma, A. E. (2007). The Complete Womens Psychotherapy Treatment Planner. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.