Cultural Competency and Research Analysis on a Case Study

Introduction

Hannah, a 36-year-old African American woman, is a school counselor working with Adara, a 15-year-old Muslim-American. Adara is feeling depressed and has been wishing she wasn’t alive. She told Hannah that she sometimes feels other kids staring at her, and sometimes they make rude comments. Adara has also been bullied on social media, with other kids accusing her of being a “terrorist.” Now Adara is angry with Hannah and feels her trust has been violated. She says, “My counselor told my mother about everything (Benito et al., 2018). Now I feel like I can’t trust her. Doesn’t she have to keep what I say to herself?” Hannah must consider the individual, family, societal, cultural, and ethical issues involved to best help Adara.

Theories

The theories relevant to this case are Social Learning Theory, Attachment Theory, Cognitive Behavioral Theory, and Psychodynamic Theory (Perrotta, 2021).

Social Learning Theory

Social Learning Theory (SLT) posits that people learn by observing the behaviors of others. According to SLT, people are not born with a set of behaviors but learn these behaviors by observing and imitating others. This Theory can help us to understand Adara’s behavior in terms of the conditioning she has experienced. Adara has been exposed to negative messages about her cultural and religious background. She has been bullied and made to feel like an outsider. As a result, she has internalized these messages and now believes that she is different and does not belong. This Theory can help us to understand Adara’s depression and her thoughts of suicide. Psychologist Albert Bandura first proposed SLT. Bandura’s Bobo Doll Experiment showed that children learn by observing and imitating the behaviors of others. In the experiment, children were shown a film of an adult behaving aggressively toward a Bobo Doll. The children who saw the film were then more likely to behave aggressively towards the Bobo Doll than those who did not see the movie. This experiment showed that children learn by observing and imitating the behaviors of others.

Attachment Theory

Attachment Theory posits that people form attachments with others to feel safe and secure. According to Attachment Theory, people are born with a need to create extensions with others. This Theory can help us to understand Adara’s relationship with her parents. Adara is attached to her parents, but she feels like they do not understand her. She feels like an outsider in her own family. This Theory can help us to understand Adara’s feelings of isolation and loneliness. Psychologist John Bowlby first proposed the Attachment Theory. Bowlby’s work showed that children form attachments with their caregivers to feel safe and secure. Bowlby’s work also showed that children who do not include attachments with their caregivers are more likely to experience problems later in life.

Cognitive Behavioral Theory

Cognitive Behavioral Theory (CBT) posits that people’s thoughts and beliefs influence their behavior. According to CBT, people’s views and ideas are shaped by their experiences and the messages they receive from others. This Theory can help us to understand Adara’s thoughts and opinions about herself. Adara has internalized her negative messages about her cultural and religious background. She has developed negative beliefs about herself as a result. This Theory can help us to understand Adara’s depression and her thoughts of suicide. Psychologist Aaron Beck first proposed CBT. Beck’s work showed that people’s thoughts and beliefs influence their behavior. Beck’s work also showed that people’s views and opinions are shaped by their experiences and the messages they receive from others.

Psychodynamic Theory

Psychodynamic Theory posits that people’s behavior is shaped by their unconscious thoughts and desires. According to Psychodynamic Theory, people’s unconscious thoughts and desires often conflict with their conscious thoughts and desires. This Theory can help us to understand Adara’s relationship with her parents. Adara feels like her parents do not understand her, and she feels isolated from them. This Theory can help us to understand Adara’s feelings of isolation and loneliness. Psychologist Sigmund Freud first proposed psychodynamic Theory. Freud’s work showed that people’s behavior is shaped by their unconscious thoughts and desires. Freud’s work also showed that people’s unconscious thoughts and desires often conflict with their conscious thoughts and desires.

Research

The first study that will be discussed is entitled “The Experiences of Muslim-American Adolescents” and was conducted by Dalia Mogahed and Amaney Jamal. This study used a qualitative methodology to understand the experiences of Muslim-American adolescents. The researchers conducted in-depth interviews with a total of 30 Muslim-American adolescents. The findings from this study showed that Muslim-American adolescents often feel isolated and misunderstood. They also think they are constantly being judged and must work harder to prove themselves. These findings relate to the case of Adara in that she also feels isolated and misunderstood. She feels she must constantly prove herself to others and that she is being judged (Balkaya, 2020). This study provides insight into the experiences of Muslim-American adolescents, which can help to formulate a potential solution by helping to address her feelings of isolation and misunderstanding.

The second study discussed is “The Efficacy of Therapy for Treating Depression” by Jameson K. Hirsch and colleagues. This study used a quantitative methodology to understand the efficacy of therapy for treating depression. The researchers collected data from a total of 33 studies examining the effectiveness of therapy for treating depression. The findings from this study showed that therapy could be an effective treatment for depression. These findings relate to the case of Adara in that she is feeling depressed (Hirsh et al., 2018). This study provides insight into the efficacy of therapy for treating depression. Through therapy, she could talk about her experiences and feelings. She would also be able to learn coping mechanisms to deal with discrimination and bullying.

Cultural competency

The six competencies needed for working in a culturally diverse environment are (Abrishami, 2018):

1. Awareness of one’s own culture and its impact on perceptions and behavior
2. Knowledge of other cultures
3. Skills in cross-cultural communication
4. Skills in cultural self-assessment
5. Skills in managing cultural differences
6. Skills in advocating for social change.

Awareness of one’s own culture and its impact on perceptions and behavior

It is essential to be aware of one’s culture and how it may impact perceptions and behavior when working with clients from other cultures. In the case of Adara, she is a Muslim-American who has been bullied and made to feel like an outsider in her community. As a counselor, one must be aware of one’s biases and assumptions to create a safe and welcoming space for Adara to share her experiences. When working with Adara, one must be mindful of one’s culture and how it may impact perceptions and behavior. As a counselor, I must be aware of my cultural biases and how they may influence how I interact with Adara and her family.

Knowledge of other cultures

As a counseling professional, knowing other cultures is essential to work with clients from those cultures effectively. In the case of Adara, it is crucial to know the Islamic faith and culture to understand her experiences and perspectives. Additionally, it is essential to be familiar with the affairs of immigrants and refugees to work with Adara and her family effectively. I need to be knowledgeable of Muslim-American culture and understand and respect Adara’s religious and cultural traditions.

Skills in cross-cultural communication

It is essential to have cross-cultural communication skills as a counselor to communicate effectively with clients from other cultures. In the case of Adara, it is necessary to be able to effectively communicate with her and her family about the counseling process and to be able to understand and respect their cultural and religious traditions. I must also be skilled in cross-cultural communication to communicate effectively with Adara and her family.

Skills in cultural self-assessment

It is essential to have skills in cultural self-assessment to work with clients from other cultures effectively. In the case of Adara, it is necessary to be able to self-assess one’s own cultural biases and assumptions to create a safe and welcoming space for her. I need to be able to assess my cultural competence and be open to learning more about other cultures.

Skills in managing cultural differences

As a counseling professional, it is essential to have skills in managing cultural differences to work with clients from other cultures effectively. In the case of Adara, it is crucial to effectively manage the cultural differences between her and her family to create a safe and welcoming space for her. I need to be able to manage cultural differences and advocate for social change.

Skills in advocating for social change

As a counseling professional, it is vital to have skills in advocating for social change to work with clients from other cultures effectively. In the case of Adara, it is crucial to advocate for social change in her community to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for her. I will continue to advocate for social change.

The guidelines I have developed for the professional will help guide me in my future work as a professional. I will continue to learn about other cultures and be open to understanding and respecting different traditions. I will continue to develop my skills in cross-cultural communication. I will continue to assess my cultural competence and strive to become more culturally competent.

Conclusion

Hannah must think about many individuals, family, societal, cultural, and ethical issues as she interacts with Adara and her parents. As a school counselor, Hannah must be aware of Adara’s family’s different cultural and religious traditions. She must also be mindful of Adara’s various societal pressures as a Muslim-American. Additionally, she must be sensitive to the fact that Adara is experiencing depression and suicidal thoughts. Adara requires support. Hannah has encouraged her to talk with her parents about seeing a therapist, but Adara has resisted. In light of Adara’s suicidal thoughts, Hannah must continue advocating for her to receive the help she needs. This may mean working with Adara’s parents to ensure they support their daughter’s mental health treatment. It is also crucial for Hannah to continue to provide a safe and confidential space for Adara to share her thoughts and feelings.

References

Abrishami, D. (2018). The need for cultural competency in health care. Radiologic Technology, 89(5), 441-448. http://www.radiologictechnology.org/content/89/5/441.short

Balkaya Ince, M. (2020). A Multi-Method Approach to Examine Predictors and Outcomes of Muslim American Adolescents? Social Identities. UMBC Student Collection. https://mdsoar.org/handle/11603/22900

Benuto, L. T., Singer, J., Casas, J., González, F., & Ruork, A. (2018). The evolving definition of cultural competency: A mixed methods study. International journal of psychology and psychological therapy, 18(3), 371-384. https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=6579028

Kelliher Rabon, J., Sirois, F. M., & Hirsch, J. K. (2018). Self-compassion and suicidal behavior in college students: Serial indirect effects via depression and wellness behaviors. Journal of American college health, 66(2), 114-122. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2017.1382498

Perrotta, G. (2021). “Perrotta Integrative Clinical Interview”(PICI) for adults and teenagers (1TA version) and children (1C version): new theoretical models and practical integrations between the clinical and psychodynamic approach. Annals of Psychiatry and Treatment, 5(1), 001-014. https://www.peertechzpublications.com/articles/APT-5-124.php