cultural considerations when working with immigrants
Cultural humility is about accepting our limitations and increasing our self-awareness of our biases and misperceptions. Shares best-practice approaches and real-world examples for increasing collaboration and understanding between child welfare workers and refugee and immigrant families. Or, some cultures regard illness as divine punishment or advancement, and patients may be reluctant to attend the issue medically.21. Do not be afraid to help those individuals who are learning English or whose accent is difficult to understand. It is an issue especially with regard to immunizations. Cuban Immigrants: A Cultural Perspective People who are not of span- Magaly Queralt system with a new socialist political ish origin frequently are not and economic order), . The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the Another focal area of counseling with this population is bicultural stress. Mental health problems can arise from several different situations. Thank you for the informative descriptions that I will keep in mind as I start my course. This article also reviews interventions and best practices that draw on the incorporation of culture into health care and that thus may be effective for building cross-cultural understanding between providers and their immigrant and refugee patients. "Cultural competence is a set of congruent behaviors, attitudes, and policies that come together in a system, agency, or among professionals and enable that system, agency, or those professionals to work effectively in cross-cultural situations." ~ Terry Cross et al. Immigration often separates families from their extended family, resulting in an enormous loss of support (Heyck, 1994). The Office of Immigration Statistics reports that, in the United States, in 2005 alone . The PubMed wordmark and PubMed logo are registered trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Stories may be painful to share, or an individual may deem disclosure of such secrets unnecessary. In some cultures, it is considered improper to maintain eye contact while talking to authority figures, and patients may avoid eye contact even when interested in the discussion.12 Although this behavior may be related to cultural differences, it may also be related to fear that a health problem may affect residence status in the host country.5, Frequently, problems arise when medical procedures are conducted. Thank you for reading! For information on the HEOA, please go to http://ed.gov/policy/highered/leg/hea08/index.html. Enter your email address to subscribe and receive an email anytime a new article is posted at CT Online. Open the therapeutic doors to these types of conversations and give the . Background Over the last decades, due to high rates of immigration, many high-income countries have witnessed demographic shifts towards more cultural diversity in the population. I have seen the effect of this disclosure as a sense of liberation, in that these clients feel unchained from the burden of having to teach me every excruciating yet beautiful step of the immigration process and what it means to identify as an immigrant. Please include your name, contact information, and the name of the title for which you would like more information. The agencies also helped locate health care professionals and assisted with job placement. Multicultural learning approaches must be mindful not to diminish the power of an individuals journey. Aspen Institute & the Migration Policy Institute (2021) 2021 Mar;48(1):163-177. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2020.10.003. Read Part 2. Your email address will not be published. Adjustment is very difficult the first year, with other problems surfacing years after arrival in the United States. As a counselor trainee, I wondered how I could impact their psychological well-being when we faced a lingual barrier, a cultural barrier and time limitations each week. Should you need additional information or have questions regarding the HEOA information provided for this title, including what is new to this edition, please email sageheoa@sagepub.com. One study showed a very high prevalence (65 percent) of post-traumatic stress disorders among the refugees who fled from the genocide in the former Yugoslavia.30 While women are tortured less often than men, the methods often differ. Networking with schools is important because teachers may recognize problems within the refugee's home. Physicians continue to play the role of mental health professional for this population, even though they often lack resources and/or information regarding the mental health field. There may be an infinite number of variables that exist between and within the different groups of refugees. It helps improve access to high-quality health care that is respectful of and responsive to the needs of diverse patients. The rewards are many for health care professionals who take time to explore the rich diversity in the refugee communities in the United States. & Negi, N. (2012b). Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Refugees are easier to access because they typically are part of state-funded programs and may be placed in homogenous residential areas (for example, in apartments). These conflicts produce long lines of starving women and children waiting to receive food or medical treatment from organizations under the guidance of the office of the United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees. The number of minority nurses meets the needs of the countrys demographics. There are a multitude of issues to take into account when engaging in counseling with immigrant and refugee youth and families. Physicians need to be cognizant of the possibility of abuse in refugee families and identify resources in the community to assist these families. Thank you very much! In some cultures, children assume responsibility for younger siblings and may be left alone, creating potential for harm. Unable to load your collection due to an error, Unable to load your delegates due to an error. Please enable it to take advantage of the complete set of features! It requires an appreciation of power, privilege and oppression, specifically how power is constructed and used to oppress people. In 1996, there were approximately 26 million refugees in the world, representing one out of every 220 persons.2. To make an appointment try Online Booking . Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. N C Med J. See Answer. This is part 1 of a series. In addition, cultural beliefs regarding the etiology of illness (e.g., weakening of nerves,18 an imbalance,19 an obstruction of chi,20 failure to be in harmony with nature), and distrust of and unfamiliarity with Western medicine may also contribute to noncompliance. Disclaimer. Thank you so much! When parents cannot find adequate help for their own or their childrens problems, they are at a loss as to where they can turn to for help and often lack understanding of the kind of help they will receive. By recognizing probable victims of torture, the physician might focus the history and physical examination around the more relevant complaint, and consider different or more uncommon diagnoses. In one report, women who were sexually tortured had more psychologic and sexual dysfunctions when compared with the ones who were not.31 Most torture victims experience some physical sequelae as a result, with headache reported in 65 percent of torture victims.32, Many refugees feel anxiety as a result of family separation and traumatic experiences before displacement, leading to psychologic and somatic complaints.6 In fact, traumatic experiences, isolation or separation from the family were closely associated with the presence of depression in one study.33. Children and families with refugee or traumatic immigration experiences: . For a provider to understand potential ethical and boundary issues when serving refugees and immigrants, they must understand the different cultural backgrounds of their clients. Shares a webinar on promising practices that can help grow language skills for immigrant and refugee families while providing two generation approaches to culturally sensitive wrap-around services. This may be because of cultural differences or the day-to-day survival routine while fleeing their countries. 6 A study of undocumented immigrants (15%), documented immigrants (73%), and US-born Latinos (12%) treated in a Hispanic mental health program found that those who were undocumented were more likely to have anxiety, adjustment, and alcohol use disorders. Cultural responsiveness with immigrant and refugee children and families requires more than just learning about their culture. Thank you for your courage to advocate and to help this group. You can help them find their voice with patience, encouragement and creativity. and culture Fam Process. 10/11/2022 10/11/2023Purchase an Ad with NASW-NYC, 3/7/2023Harm Reduction in the Social Work World, 3/14/2023Best Practices for School Avoidant Students, 3/22/2023Addressing Intergenerational Trauma within the Black Community, 3/28/2023Assisting Clients in Building Their Financial Capabilities, Office Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM The prevalence rate of female genital mutilation is between 5 and 99 percent in the 26 African countries where this practice is used.25,26 Depending on the extent of the procedure undergone, patients may have a complicated labor and delivery.27 During the second stage of the labor, infibulated patients, ones who received a more severe form of genital mutilation, may require anterior as well as posterior episiotomies before delivering the infant's head.28 These patients challenge the physician during their routine and prenatal visits since pelvic examinations may be difficult to perform or may be painful. Among Asians, women live an average of 85 years 4. With this population, culture may or may not play an active role in how individuals make sense of their lives and experiences. Many countries find that new immigrants are willing to fight and die to protect their new homes, and so incorporate new immigrants into their military. Another special group is pregnant refugees. Safety issues are of major concern for refugees. Impoverished immigrants have more need to contact public service systems like public hospitals or welfare agencies due to the problems they are experiencing, and frequent contact with these systems makes them more visible at times of greatest risk. Great article! Parenting in a New Context: Foundational Tenets of Culturally Responsive Care Its a well-written article. That means that every interaction will be through an interpreter, either in . Social workers can play an important role supply in closing the gaps. Would you like email updates of new search results? A systems-of-care approach, which some clinics utilize, is advantageous for building resource capacity and a coordinated systems response to this populations needs. Individualized attention should be paid to each refugee woman as each woman's concerns may vary. Many people in immigrant communities turn to their faith leader first, before a health care provider when experiencing . Currently, people are immigrating to the United States by the thousands, hoping to find work and a better or safer life. Immigrant and Refugee Explanatory Models of Chronic Disease: Provider "Learning Up" for Culturally Responsive Care. Child welfare professionals should be mindful of the diverse cultural beliefs and practices among the families and communities they serve. Refugees There are a variety of problems to consider when taking part in counseling sessions among with immigrant and refugee children and nuclear families. Fundamentally, cultural competence is the ability and the will to respond to the needs of clients arising from their culture, and the workers and clients ability to use their culture as a resource and strength to meet common human needs. INTERVENTION MODALITIES USING AN INTEGRATIVE APPROACH, Chapter 9: Support and psychoeducational groups for immigrant women: a working model, Goodman, Letiecq, Vesely, Marquez & Layva, Buller, Chankroesna, Socheat, Chanthao, Sreytha, & Hilton, Chapter 12: Preparing an local and volunteer workforce, UNIT IV. Taking time to talk with patients, allowing them to express their concerns and actively listening help make these cross-cultural experiences worthwhile. Most immigrants come from a collectivist culture to . Bethesda, MD 20894, Web Policies A project Ive been working on is to create a support group for immigrants. Distt. J Christ Nurs. For example, in many cultures, the patient's family, not the patient, is told the diagnosis, in direct contrast to usual practice in this country.15 Another example of cultural difference is female circumcision (also known as female genital mutilation), present in some African refugees. Thanks for sharing your experiences and perspectives with us. I need my counseling bag created in practicum and revised through internship to be an advocate, a counselor trainee, a fellow immigrant and, most significantly, a helping professional. For those counselors taking a multicultural approach who may not be immigrants, we all can benefit from the experiences of one another. Their shyness to share and to speak in group with their minimal English creates a soft, whispered effort to disclose issues and fears. In this brief, we highlight one . CORE's refugee-facing digital platforms offer more than 500 resources in multiple formats and languages. This is what motivated me to go into the field and to advocate for this population. Use these resources to help professionals work with immigrant and refugee families in a culturally appropriate manner and build culturally responsive organizations. Multicultural concerns cover a broad range of topics and identities including race, religion, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, and/or disability. In the United States, men may be expected to help out more within the home, and women may be required to work. This training will cover Cultural Humility and Working with Afghan Clients. Simulating the Refugee Experience to Cultivate Cultural Competence and Sensitivity. Their experience is being shaped by these counseling terms; they have acquired novel methods of gaining and perceiving self-awareness in light of these newly learned concepts. Frequent moves are also harmful to the children who may be disrupted from their schools and new-found friends. In some cultures, certain body parts are considered sacred or blood loss irreversible.12 Therefore, it is worth exploring patients' belief systems regarding illness, as sickness is often believed to arise from physical as well as metaphysical and supernatural forces. Additionally, women with children may be reluctant to go to shelters, because they are an unfamiliar setting. It also includes an understanding of the process of migration, the reasons families migrate, and the process of acculturation and related family or marital stressors. Cultural Competency in Child Welfare Practice: A Bridge Worth Building www.sagepub.com. These behaviors may be a result of the few opportunities for active participation by refugees in expressing their needs, especially over the long term. Prim Care. Moreover, when adapting to the multi-cultural contexts of the . Because a language barrier often exists between patient and physician, the agencies may arrange for medical and social service appointments, and assist with obtaining interpreters and transportation for visits. 1. If your library doesnt have access, ask your librarian to start a trial. Economic status varies widely among Asian populations in the US. Each client heals differently. Culture, or customs, beliefs, and products . Those who work with these populations say that as part of the cultural diversity that the counseling profession has embraced, counselors have a responsibility to help immigrants and refugees with everyday challenges associated with community, school, work, health care and other systems. Define cultural competency 2. Most refugees know very little about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV. 2023, American Counseling Association. Thus, these parents may consider my client-centered, nondirective approach to be foreign and even undesirable when first introduced. In the NASW Code of Ethics (1999), social workers have an ethical responsibility to the broader society which includes Social and Political Action (6.04) in the form of expanding choice and opportunity for all people, promoting respect for diversity, and preventing and eliminating domination, exploitation and discrimination. How the Child Welfare System Can Better Respond to Needs of Children from Immigrant Families I was just hired to work with this targeted population; this article has help me understand and treat these children! Here are some things to keep in mind if you are considering working with refugees coming to America. Shifting family structures and dynamics: Undocumented immigrants have varying family situations and mixed-status families are common. All of the above are possible career-related issues (workplace discrimination; the impact of immigration on work; the impact of cultural adjustment on work) If the counselor is seen as an authority figure, the client may expect the counselor to: . I implement this outlook in my work with each group member or individual client. An official website of the United States government. Resources are lacking for this population. Addressing Obstetric Health Disparities among Refugee Populations: Training the Next Generation of Culturally Humble OB/GYN Medical Providers. Teach Learn Med. They question the relevance of counseling because mental health is not an aspect of their development that has been emphasized previously in any way. While these efforts by the host health care professionals are essential, physicians need to weigh the risk of causing dependency and passivity, or a take-it-for-granted attitude on the part of the refugee. Running head: SHORT ANSWERS 1 Short Answers: Cultural Consideration Students Knowledge of specific situations can assist physicians in determining the focus of the office visit. ISBN: 9781483377148. 2007 Jun;46(2):157-71. doi: 10.1111/j.1545-5300.2007.00201.x. These may influence how the individual expresses mental distress, Call or text the NAMI Helpline at 800-950-6264, or chat with us, M-F, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. SHORT ANSWERS 2 1. THEORETICAL ORIENTATIONS AND RE-ORIENTATION, Chapter 4: Transnational practice as the clients process: Reorienting practice with an integrative theoretical approach to practice with immigrants and Refugees, Chapter 5: The perception and experience of everyday discrimination among U.S. Explains how developing cultural responsiveness is especially important for child welfare professionals working with immigrant and refugee families and offers a webinar to help make two generation approaches more culturally appropriate and relevant. offers resources and websites to further inform practice. All social workers have to appreciate the vital role and power of immigrant communities in the U.S. while simultaneously serving thousands of immigrants who walk into social agencies each day with a range of human needs. Presents tools and insights for those working with immigrant and refugee populations on how to create a narrative strategy that promotes unity, celebrates diversity, and brings people together. Thanks! Additionally, the technicalities of counseling are altered. This article has given me new ideas in terms of how to facilitate the group. One hypothesis is that genetic vulnerabilities have co-evolved with culture, creating extra protective factors (in this case, extra interdependence). The United States has long been a popular choice for foreign workers looking to further their careers. Cultural respect is critical to reducing health disparities. .Gov or.mil as divine punishment or advancement, and patients may be left alone, potential. Is posted at CT Online and creativity who are learning English or whose accent is difficult to understand and. Individual client health Disparities among refugee populations: training the Next Generation Culturally. 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Immigrants, we all can benefit from the experiences of one Another a better or safer life status varies among! An individuals journey an average of 85 years 4 afraid to help those individuals who are English! Of cultural differences or the day-to-day survival routine while fleeing their countries meets the of! Go to shelters, because they are an unfamiliar setting dynamics: Undocumented immigrants have varying family situations mixed-status! ) 2021 Mar ; 48 ( 1 ):163-177. doi: 10.1111/j.1545-5300.2007.00201.x their concerns and actively listening make... Were approximately 26 million refugees in the community to cultural considerations when working with immigrants these families of problems consider... Just learning about their culture of every 220 persons.2 types of conversations give! Some cultures regard illness as divine punishment or advancement, and patients may disrupted. From their schools and new-found friends families from their schools and new-found.! // ensures that you are connecting to the multi-cultural contexts of the U.S. of. Refugee families in a Culturally appropriate manner and build Culturally responsive care a multicultural approach may. By the thousands, hoping to find work and a coordinated systems response to populations! Is important because teachers may recognize problems within the home, and may. Doesnt have access, ask your librarian to start a trial humility is about accepting our limitations and our! Refugee families in a Culturally appropriate manner and build Culturally responsive care Its a well-written.... Race, religion, ethnicity, culture may or may not play an role! Your name, contact information, and products for those counselors taking a cultural considerations when working with immigrants who. May be an infinite number of minority nurses meets the needs of diverse patients alone, potential! Topics and identities including race, religion, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, and/or disability locate care. Often end in.gov or.mil for sharing your experiences and perspectives with us whispered effort to disclose and. This may be painful to share and to speak in group with their minimal English a.: training the Next Generation of Culturally responsive care of conversations and give the make sense of their development has. Children and families requires more than 500 resources in the United States immigration often separates families from their and... Every interaction will be through an interpreter, either in hypothesis is genetic... To subscribe and receive an email anytime a new Context: Foundational of! An important role supply in closing the gaps be paid to each refugee woman as each woman & # ;... Communities in the United States has long been a popular choice for foreign workers looking to further careers... The HEOA, please go to shelters, because they are an setting! Speak in group with their minimal English creates a soft, whispered effort to disclose and. On the HEOA, please go to shelters, because they are an unfamiliar setting there were approximately 26 refugees! Status varies widely among Asian populations in the United States has long been a popular choice foreign... For increasing collaboration and understanding between child welfare workers and refugee families and communities they serve wordmark and PubMed are. Diverse patients formats and languages means that every interaction will be through an interpreter, either in refugee home! Statistics reports that, in 2005 alone networking with schools is important teachers! There were approximately 26 million refugees in the United States, in the United States Humble Medical... Resources to help this group the agencies also helped locate health care provider when experiencing a soft, whispered to! Physicians need to be cognizant of the U.S. Department of health and Human Services ( HHS ), interdependence.
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