Cultural Competency Basics
The ability to effectively work across cultural differences in a professional setting
What is cultural competence?
This value emphasizes handling problems independently without outside help
What is self-reliance?
This historical factor contributes to mistrust in healthcare and legal systems
What is systemic racism or historical trauma?
This value refers to strong family involvement in decision-making
What is familismo?
This concept involves recognizing systemic barriers like transportation or poverty
What is structural competence?
This concept emphasizes ongoing self-reflection and learning from clients rather than mastering their culture
What is cultural humility?
This common characteristic can lead to mistrust of healthcare or legal systems
What is distrust of systems?
This plays a strong role in coping and recovery for many individuals
What is spirituality or faith?
This value emphasizes respect for authority and relationships
What is respeto?
Missing appointments due to lack of transportation is an example of this
What is a structural barrier?
These include race, gender, language, spirituality, and socioeconomic status that influence client behavior
What are cultural variables?
This may be misinterpreted as resistance when clients avoid asking for help
What is cultural independence or survival-based coping?
This may present as guardedness early in treatment due to past experiences
What is mistrust?
This concept highlights the importance of personal connection in communication
What is personalismo?
This occurs when clinicians label systemic issues as individual failures
What is misattribution or bias?
This term describes negative beliefs that prevent people from seeking treatment
What is stigma?
This strong value often keeps individuals connected to family even when relationships are high-risk
What is family loyalty?
This is important for clinicians to demonstrate to build rapport and trust
What is respect or dignity?
This barrier may impact understanding even when clients speak some English
What is linguistic accessibility or language barriers?
This factor may cause clients to prioritize survival needs over treatment
What is poverty or instability?
This concept reminds us that culture is not just ethnicity but includes values, beliefs, and learned behaviors
What is the definition of culture?
Clinicians should reframe “noncompliance” in Appalachian clients as this learned survival pattern
What is self-reliance or system mistrust?
This system disproportionately impacts African American individuals and shapes treatment engagement
What is the criminal justice system?
Clinicians may misinterpret silence as disengagement when it is actually this cultural value
What is respect or avoidance of conflict?
This shift in thinking moves from “noncompliance” to understanding external barriers
What is a structural perspective?