WEEK 4 DISCUSSION ONE AND TWO RESPONSES
DISCUSSION ONE
CLASSMATE CHARLES’ POST
Why would an approach based on monocultural psychology be considered limiting when attempting to deal with a more diverse population?
Monocultural psychology refers to a single homogeneous culture that de-emphasizes diversity. Under this monocultural perspective, dominant American cultural values, expectations, behaviors, and definitions are presumed to be superior to values of other cultures(Grosjean, 2011). This idea is very limiting because it hinders the growth of this nation in a world that is going to a global economy due to the advances in all major technologies. Plus, in the United States, many different cultures have made this country their home. They bring ideas, remedies, and practices that will strengthen this great country if nurtured respectfully (meditation from India, Acupuncture from Asia, etc.)
What obstacles could be in existence that could potentially prevent or discourage an immigrant from seeking assistance from social services or mental health facilities?
Many obstacles could potentially prevent or discourage an immigrant from seeking assistance from social services or mental health facilities. First and foremost, there may be a communication barrier that inhibits people from accessing the help they may need. Second, they may have a problem with their immigration status that may cause them to be deported back to their country of origin. Third, some people do not know what assistance is available to them to help with their situations. Fourth, there are cultural stigmas attached to people with certain conditions, and they are outcast by their community.
Of the current ethnic groups existing within the U.S., which population has been identified as being the most diverse and challenging for those within the mental health community?
The ethnic group that is the most diverse and has the most mental health challenges in the U.S. is the Native American Indians/ Alaska Natives. Within the native American Indian culture, they speak over 200 different dialects. They have very high rates of Substance use Disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicide. Native Americans also have attachment disorders that have an intergenerational effect due to historical trauma due to forced removal from their lands and being placed on reservations and forced boarding schools that separated the children from their families, spiritual practices, and culture(AmericanPsychiatrictAssociation,2017). Native Americans and Alaska natives only represent only 2% of this countries population. In 2014, 21% of Native Indian /Alaska Natives 18years old and up population reported mental health issues. At the same time, 17.9 % of the U.S. general population reported mental illness issues(American Psychiatric Association,2017).
References
American Psychiatrist Association. (2017). Mental Health Disparities: American Indians and Alaska Natives. In M. M. Zein & . (Eds.). N.p.: APA. Retrieved from https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/cultural-competency/education/mental-health-facts (Links to an external site.)
Grosjean, F. (2011, May 9). How Cultures Combine and Blend in a Person. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/life-bilingual/201105/how-cultures-combine-and-blend-in-person
CLASSMATE LATOYA’S POST
Monocultural psychology will have a negative impact on society because the world has multiple religions, races, ethnicities, sexualities, etc. The United States is the land of opportunity and freedom; people from all different backgrounds should have the chance to be their true selves. “Forensic psychologists should be especially attuned to the potential injustices and oppression that may result from monocultural psychology. C. I. Hall (1997) writes that “people of color and women have been misdiagnosed or mistreated by psychology for many decades” (p. 643)” (Bartol & Bartol, 2019). The monocultural approach is tone death because the look of today and the future reflects a diverse society. The just of monoculturalism focuses on a society that is not diverse and believes that there should be only one group’s culture over another.
Social services should learn to be more understanding and don’t oppose one belief for immigrants to benefit. “It became apparent at the NMCS that the term multiculturalism must include the broad range of significant differences (race, gender, sexual orientation, ability and disability, religion, class, etc.) that so often hinder communication and understanding among people” (Sue, Porché-Burke, Vasquz & Bingham, 1999). Immigrants will not seek assistance if they feel oppressed and excluded by social services. Diversity and inclusion allow every person, regardless of their race, religion, ethnic background, sexuality, to feel like they have a right to be themselves.
Since horrific events on 9/11/2001, Arab-Americans and Muslim-Americans have experienced negative social experiences that cause them to hide their identity. They are the most diverse and challenging within the mental health community. “A survey conducted by Padela and Heisler, 2 years after September 11, found evidence that many Arab Americans continued to experience negative emotional states that led to a variety of mental health problems, such as depression and stress disorders” (Bartol & Bartol, 2019). Arab-Americans and Muslim-Americans should feel included in society because equality is pertinent to this diverse society.
References:
Bartol, A., & Bartol, C. (2019). Introduction to forensic psychology: Research and application (5th ed.). ashford.edu: https://content.ashford.edu
Jackson, Y. (2006). Ethnocentric monoculturalism. In Encyclopedia of multicultural psychology (Vol. 1, pp. 204-204). SAGE Publications, Inc., https://www.doi.org/10.4135/9781412952668.n105
Sue, D. W., Bingham, R. P., Porché-Burke, L., & Vasquez, M. (1999). The diversification of psychology: A multicultural revolution. American Psychologist, 54(12), 1061–1069. https://doi-org.proxy-library.ashford.edu/10.1037/0003-066X.54.12.1061
DISSCUSSION TWO
CLASSMATE SAIDY’S POST
Address the utility of a multimodal approach to the treatment of family and intimate partner violence.
A multimodal approach is most often recommended for the assessment and treatment of battered victims as well as battering offenders. Recidivism is the primary focus, though they’re insufficient for a more generalized assessment of the problem and should not be used in isolation. In the case of the victim, the mental health practitioner must be aware of the impact of cultural and lifestyle variables on the battered person’s response to the abuse and her recovery (Bartol & Bartol 2019).
Answer the question of what is meant by a multimodal approach to treatment.
The multimodal approach is often recommended for the assessment and treatment of battered victims as well as battering offenders. Multimodal refers to the use of a combination of psychological instruments and information-gathering strategies, including open-ended interviews, structured interviews, questionnaires, and standard psychological measures (Bartol & Bartol 2019). Multimodal includes being supportive in any way for victims, some minority women or immigrants, or language barrier to make it easier to provide support. Many cultural and social barriers impede help-seeking behavior for a wide spectrum of cultural groups.
In addition, answer the query of how an open–ended interview might be the best technique for use in the treatment of IPV.
An open-ended interview allows people to respond “in their own words” or tell their “own story” (Bartol & Bartol 2019). It gives more freedom to the person asking the question, while also allowing the person to answer as they please. They’re also able to ask predetermined questions that restrict the evaluator’s inquiries during the administration of the interview. Open-ended interview questions can be most helpful in obtaining the full story.
Reference:
Bartol A., & Bartol C. (2019). Introduction to forensic psychology: Research and application (5th ed.). Sage Publications, Inc.
CLASSMATE TIANA’S POST
When addressing family and intimate partner violence, utilizing a multimodal approach is typically recommended. Many complexities exist within families, that discourage victims from reporting the crimes. Identifying methods that will work with a victim can be difficult, especially when keeping in mind cultural differences. According to the assigned reading, “The term multimodal refers to the use of a combination of psychological instruments and information-gathering strategies, including open-ended interviews, structured interviews, questionnaires, and standard psychological measures” (Bartol & Bartol, 2019, Section 11.1, para. 46). Utilizing different approaches increases the chance that the victim will be responsive and forth coming with information.
A multimodal approach to treatment means using a variety of treatment plans with an individual to identify which method they are more receptive to. Professionals use these methods when unsure of patient response or when treating more than one symptom. Many view this approach as the optimal form of treatment because it allows the professional to create individualized treatment plans for their patients. When discussing criminal justice and crimes, no one crime is alike. Effects of trauma and violence affect everyone differently. Creating a holistic multimodality treatment approach can help garner better results than one singular method.
An open-ended interview can be the best technique used when determining treatment for victims of intimate partner violence. This allows the victim to share their experience in their own words, uncovering information the investigator may not have been privileged to if they were to use a questionnaire. Open-ended questions also allow the victim to answer the question at length. They have the freedom to say as much or as little as they are comfortable with. Open-ended questions also allow for the investigator to ask for a more detailed explanation or to clarify any information that may be unclear or confusing. Open-ended interviews allow the victim to feel in control while expressing their experiences in their own words and in their own way.
Reference
Bartol, A., & Bartol, C. (2019). Introduction to forensic psychology: Research and application (5th ed.). ashford.edu: https://content.ashford.edu