Cultural Issues in Psychopathology

Cultural Issues in Psychopathology 

By:  Kimberly Swanson, M.S. - Psychology, CNA

In todays’ society, there is stigma or negative connotation when it comes to seeking and receiving mental or psychological services.  Often times, these negative point of views towards mental health stems from cultural beliefs.  It is apparent that cultural issues are attributed to depression and cultural issues and is also a major factor to the treatment of depression.

Understanding Culture and Mental Illness

The beginning stages of incorporating culture into clinical psychological research started with Kleinman (1977). Kleinman (1977) believed that culture is the basis of human behavior especially when it comes to “mood disorders”.  Fields (2010) states that, clinicians need to be understanding and mindful of patients’ culture while treating them.  There are two points of views, when it comes to culture and depression (Fields, 2010).  The two points of views are:   1. “universal views” – It applies to all cultural lines and can be measured with proven evidence;    2.   “cultural-bound” views - is based on a specific culture and cannot be measure (Field, 2010).

In Field’s (2010) research, it shows the current views on “multicultural competence, the American Psychological Association (APA) Multicultural Guidelines” which points out the different cultural views on mental health and the “cross-cultural validation of depression”.  According to Fields (2010), cultural definition and “interaction” is constantly changing and evolving.

Identifying culture as an intricate part of in the care of mental patients is a new phenomenon that is taking place within psychological research (Fields, 2010).  The purpose of incorporating culture into psychological research is to address the complex issues that are often found when working with a diverse population (Fields, 2010).

Examples of Culture Issues & Depression

Asian Pacific Views on Depression

In the MyPsychLab (2013), “Martha: Major Depressive Disorder” video, it discusses how depression is viewed from an Asian Pacific patient name Martha.  Martha suffered from depression due to a failed marriage.  At first, Martha did not seek treatment because of her cultural issues.    Nira Singh (Director of children youth and family outpatient services of RAMS Mental Health Agency) mentions that, “there is a stigma for most Asian Pacific clients who utilize the services”.  Getting medical help is seen as more important than getting psychological assistance (MyPsychLab, 2013).  Traditional families of Asian Pacific Islanders may see treatments as shameful depending on their view on mental health (MyPsychLab, 2013).

Nira Singh mentions that, “often times that patients do not know that these services are available to them and is available in their native language” (MyPsychLab, 2013).  In the video, Singh also states that: “as model minorities, you are not suppose to have mental problems…There is a feeling of shame when acknowledging a weakness” (MyPsychLab, 2013).  More outreach is needed in educating the public on depression and how it affects people’s lives.

Bosnian Views on Depression

In Fields’ (2010) research, there were many examples on how different cultures view depression.  One example is a case, “The Case of G,” about a Bosnian refugee who suffered from the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  The patients’ PTSD was triggered by war and “the tragic losses” that he had to face in “his home country”. G did not have to a psychologist or therapist in Bosnia because of negative cultural views.  The patient views himself as a “traditional man” and in his country, seeing a therapist often times means that you are “crazy” (Fields, 2010).   He was concerned about being viewed as crazy by others.  For the Bosnian refugee, not being able to speak English was also a perceived barrier.  Having this perceived language barrier makes the patient of a different culture feel “inadequate” (Fields, 2010).

In G’s case, there was a need for social interactions.  According to Fields (2010), the patient’s plan of care was mostly geared for “cultural dynamics” instead of starting an initial “treatment plan”.  Once G received the support of getting more social interactions with peers with similar cultures and backgrounds, G’s condition greatly improved (Fields, 2010).

How Cultural Issues Affects Treatments for Depression

The American health care system is fragmented.  These fragmentations makes is extremely difficult for patients to receive the proper treatment for depression.  Doctors, mental “health professionals”, “patients”, and “families” face the dilemma of a divisive system that separates the “medical and mental health” in its treatment options and line of care (Heinrich, 2000).  By bridging and incorporating the medical with the psychological, there would be a more balanced and improved system of care for mental health patients, especially those who are suffering from depression (Heinrich, 2000). 

Overcoming perceived cultural differences in patients when it comes to their line of care is also extremely important.  Clinicians must be able to understand their client’s culture in order to provide the patients with the best treatment options for depression.  Each case for depression is different and must be treated as so.   Getting into the mind of the patient and seeing from their point of view enables the mental health professional to better serve their clients.  Clinical research and case studies like Fielding, (2010) and Heinrich (2000) has shown  that understanding a patient’s culture means getting to the root  of the problem.  This ideology of culture is paving the way for a more positive solution for patient care and for improving their overall mental health. 

References

Fields, A.J. (2010).  Multicultural research and practice:  Theoretical issues and maximizing cultural

Exchange.  Professional Psychology:  Research and Practice, 41(3).  196-201.  Doi:10.1037/a0017938.

Heinrich, R.L. (2000).  Improving depression care:  Disseminating skills or changing organizational

structure and culture?  Families, Systems, & Health.  18(4). 

Kleinman, A.M. (1977).  Depression, somatization and the “new cross-cultural psychiatry.”

MyPsychLab, Pearson Video Series .  (2013).  Speaking Out: The DSM in Context: Martha:

Major Depressive Disorder [on-line video].  Available from

www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com.


Copyright in 2015 by ©Messenger Publishing, Inc.