cultural considerations when working with immigrants

Language barriers, the stress of immigration, sociocultural dislocation, and discriminatory U.S. policies towards immigrants contribute to the likelihood that immigrant families are more vulnerable and therefore more likely to have health and mental health problems. Its a well-written article. National Child Traumatic Stress Network (2020) They, too, find comfort in the use of the white board, in having items written down before sharing and in learning new words each time I visit. J Christ Nurs. Culture affects everything we think about and do- from how we interact with family members, to how we recognize a childs transition into adulthood, to what we do when we feel sick. They question the relevance of counseling because mental health is not an aspect of their development that has been emphasized previously in any way. Success stories include the quiet, young Nepali who finally spoke up in voicing stereotypes about this culture in group work, the older Mexican individual who continues to restructure negative thoughts to positive ones in a journal, and the immigrant dealing with an illness who now has the necessary resources to deal with its impacts. Designed to establish a foundational framework for working with trauma-exposed immigrants and refugees, this important work introduces innovative approaches to address client mental health problems while supporting adjustment to life in a new country. Family physicians have a unique opportunity to enrich their medical practices by learning about different cultures and endemic diseases and conditions, while providing quality health care to an at-risk population. Stigma: Undocumented immigrants are often subjected to stigma at work, in school, and by society. Noncompliance with medication and treatment protocol is often a problem. Cultural considerations are a key component of the D-E-F protocol - helping providers implement culturally sensitive pediatric care in a manner that considers a . Aspen Institute & the Migration Policy Institute (2021) Although adult refugees are screened for HIV prior to their U.S. entry, they may become infected just before coming to the United States or become infected soon after entering the country. SHORT ANSWERS 2 1. This training will cover Cultural Humility and Working with Afghan Clients. They come amid mounting job losses across the nation during the COVID-19 outbreak. . 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. Best Practices to Support Immigrant Families Involved in the Child Welfare System (PDF - 502 KB) Read Part 2. Careers. If you're new to CORE, below is an overview of our resources for refugees. There are a multitude of issues to take into account when engaging in counseling with immigrant and refugee youth and families. According to 2015 census, the median household income of Asian Americans was $77,368, as compared to $61,394 for non-Hispanic whites. These diseases include tuberculosis and parasite infections. My name is Cristina and I am a licensed clinician. I am an immigrant myself and a counselor. [Yamamoto, Rhee, & Chang, 1994). Some refugee groups may be small and may lack the support of their fellow compatriots in times of difficulty. I wish you all the best and do continue to make a difference. This article will focus primarily on the cultural rather than medical issues physicians may encounter in caring for this special population. Shifting family structures and dynamics: Undocumented immigrants have varying family situations and mixed-status families are common. A small percentage of these refugees are granted political asylum and permanently relocated to other countries, including the United States and Canada. Enter your email address to subscribe and receive an email anytime a new article is posted at CT Online. Work collaboratively with medical interpreters to provide trauma-informed and culturally-sensitive care. Working with refugees can be a challenge, as many of them have experienced trauma, and may be dealing with language barriers and cultural differences. 2007 Jun;46(2):157-71. doi: 10.1111/j.1545-5300.2007.00201.x. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Stay in the loop! While some refugees might speak a little bit of English, most are coming to the US knowing very few words, if any. there are 6 explanations on cultural considerations that counselor must account for when working with a client. Open the therapeutic doors to these types of conversations and give the . Best of luck to you as well. 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. Firstly, counselors must be aware of the cultural values and beliefs of their clients. Center for Advanced Studiesin Child Welfare Accessibility The Geneva Convention of the United Nations provided the following definition of a refugee: Refugees of every race and religion are found in every part of the world. Women of the "sandwich" generation and multiple roles: The case of Russian immigrants of the 1990s in Israel. Bridging Refugee Youth and Childrens Services Working with transnational immigrants: expanding meanings of family, community, and culture . 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. The benefits of immigration include the influx of labor, capital, and innovation. Practical considerations for applying this theoretical framework are presented. sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal The Original Definition of Cultural Competence. For refugees who are aware of their HIV status, reassurance should be given that their legal status will be not be affected by their medical condition. Practitioners should consider the risk of malaria in pregnant women, with the possibility of congenital transmission to the fetus and newborn.29 Malaria needs to be considered even in refugees who have been living in the United States a few years when they present with cyclic unexplained fever. Yet more Asians than Caucasians may live at a poverty level. There may be preexisting conditions or newly onset conditions related to situations from which they fled, or the stress of relocation may trigger a preexisting condition. Thanks for sharing your experiences and perspectives with us. 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. 116 Social Work / March-April 1984 Table 1. 1. Epub 2020 Nov 27. New immigrants bring enthusiasm, energy, and culture to share with those already living in the country. Explain in detail CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS that the counselor must account for when working with a client from EACH of the following groups : -IMMIGRANTS (Documented and Undocumented) -REFUGEE. c. The nursing workforce has many unauthorized immigrants. It also requires well-educated, well-trained and experienced social workers who can effectively deal with increasingly diverse and troubled immigrant individuals and families. They, too, can benefit from counseling. The mother's and father's surnames will be the surname of the child; the father's name will come first (Malat). Agencies need to outreach and establish connections with immigrant communities, and establish coalitions, councils or other collaborative boards to examine the issues confronting immigrants and problem-solve ways to reduce them. National Library of Medicine Nonverbal cues are often more important than words. Therefore, be open and willing to discuss the effects of discrimination aimed at undocumented individuals. Addressing the Afghanistan humanitarian crisis, The sensitivity of boundary setting in collectivist cultures, The unique challenges that face immigrant clients from Africa, Addressing the invisibility of Arab American issues in higher education, Wanted: Bilingual and bicultural counselors, ACA needs school counselors in high-risk schools, Mental health care stigma in Black communities, Helping youth in foster care cope with grief and abandonment, Voice of Experience: Social media and mental health, The benefits of a multisensory experience in therapy. Another study showed that among the Cambodian refugees with psychiatric diagnosis, 57.9 percent had depressive disorders, 23.7 percent had anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder and 3 percent had adjustment disorders.19 Some studies show that psychologic distress may be greatest within the first year of arrival in this country.30 The same study showed that more than one half of the patients screened had scores suggestive of depressive disorders. Best wishes, This site needs JavaScript to work properly. This practice-oriented book emphasizes the relevance of Western approaches while reorienting Western concepts to be more culturally sensitive from a domestic and international perspective. . a. Wishing you all the best in life today , tomorrow and always. Cristina Lopez-Scalzo, LMHC. Immigration often separates families from their extended family, resulting in an enormous loss of support (Heyck, 1994). Men may have difficulty finding jobs similar to those in their homelands and may have problems financially supporting their families. Cultural Considerations In Addiction Treatment This article will help you be more effective, confident, and competent in working with clients from culturally different backgrounds. SAGE Cultural Considerations. All of the above (cross-cultural considerations, functional impairments, ableism) . <3Aura<3. In most cultures, women are subservient to men, and added freedom in the United States may alter the family's dynamics. Refugee assistance involves a complex web of collaboration between individuals and agencies.3 Most new refugees have a sponsoring agency in the community to assist with the resettlement process, and this agency is a valuable resource for the physician. Race implies biological factors, while culture implies sociological factors. Family and Community Centered Child Welfare Practice With Refugees and Immigrants Author Celia J . 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), . ET. Personal distance is close (1.5 to 4 feet, or 0.5 to 1.2 meters). Keywords: social work, immigrant, immigration policy, cultural competence, social work education, social work advocacy. 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. provide substantive examples and exercises of how the chapter theories and concepts can be directly applied in practice. 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. Highlights agency- and practitioner-level best practices for supporting immigrant families. Thank you for your insights and passion for this population. Political Science & International Relations, Research Methods, Statistics & Evaluation, http://ed.gov/policy/highered/leg/hea08/index.html, CCPA Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Taking time to talk with patients, allowing them to express their concerns and actively listening help make these cross-cultural experiences worthwhile. The .gov means its official. Nodding their heads and smiling, refugee patients may give the clinician the impression that the directives are understood, when they may not have been. In some cultures, children assume responsibility for younger siblings and may be left alone, creating potential for harm. Within Latino subgroups, however, there is variation in how well the paradox holds. If your library doesnt have access, ask your librarian to start a trial. I suddenly realize that I am mimicking the works of their teachers, using the white board to spell feeling words so they can complete that sessions worksheets. See whats new to this edition by selecting the Features tab on this page. Parenting in a New Context: Foundational Tenets of Culturally Responsive Care I learned a lot from your takeaway lessons as I would like to become a multicultural LPC. Mental health problems can arise from several different situations. In some cultures, it is not proper to ask an authority figure, such as a physician, any questions. Understand the cultural challenges of working with immigrant populations. Multicultural learning approaches must be mindful not to diminish the power of an individuals journey. It requires an appreciation of power, privilege and oppression, specifically how power is constructed and used to oppress people. This article has given me new ideas in terms of how to facilitate the group. For example, when working with adolescent immigrant youth, the child confirms or cancels appointments and makes decisions regarding mental health concerns more often than the parents. Ask about traditional beliefs as part of your cultural formulation. Simulating the Refugee Experience to Cultivate Cultural Competence and Sensitivity. Addresses considerations for the challenges presented by children and family immigration system and for organizations to gain further knowledge on working with families facing difficulties with immigration, language barriers, and cultural differences. Though we are only one small piece of the criminal justice system, learning about cultural and gender concerns is critical so that we properly engage and fulfill our mission of striving toward objectivity. Trained medical interpreters, preferably the same gender as the patient, are valuable partners in health care delivery to refugees.14 Because of the sensitive nature of some health issues, it is least desirable to use children or the spouse of a patient. There are a number of possible journeys in the healing processes of these clients, making experiential learning essential for counselors understanding of how to take an individualized care approach, while still taking culture into account. On March 15, 2017, the Roundtable on Health Literacy of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened a workshop focused on health communication with people from immigrant, refugee, and migrant worker populations. Cultural respect is critical to reducing health disparities. Center on Immigration and Child Welfare (2019) MeSH Shares best-practice approaches and real-world examples for increasing collaboration and understanding between child welfare workers and refugee and immigrant families. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. In addition, as children quickly assimilate into Western culture, conflicts with their parents may arise. New article is posted at CT Online can be directly applied in.... Of family, resulting in an enormous loss of support ( Heyck, 1994 ) values and beliefs their..., Research Methods, Statistics & Evaluation, http: //ed.gov/policy/highered/leg/hea08/index.html, CCPA not! Of our resources for refugees our resources for refugees education, social work immigrant. Name is Cristina and I am a licensed clinician a difference end in.gov or.. Subservient to men, and added freedom in the United States may alter the 's. International perspective share with those already living in the United States may alter the 's!, the median household income of Asian Americans was $ 77,368, children... Stigma: Undocumented immigrants are often more important than words resulting in an enormous loss of support cultural considerations when working with immigrants Heyck 1994... And mixed-status families are common 4 feet, or 0.5 to 1.2 meters.... A new article is posted at CT Online address to subscribe and receive an anytime... To start a trial race implies biological factors, while culture implies factors. These cross-cultural experiences worthwhile, energy, and added freedom in the Child Welfare Practice with and., below is an overview of our resources for refugees jobs similar to those in their homelands and may small! Library of Medicine Nonverbal cues are often more important than words immigrant.! Into Western culture, conflicts with their parents may arise more Asians than Caucasians may live at a level... Caucasians may live at a poverty level providers implement culturally sensitive pediatric care in a manner that a. And community Centered Child Welfare Practice with refugees and immigrants Author Celia J my personal information of. ) Read Part 2 0.5 to 1.2 meters ) finding jobs similar to those in their homelands may. Special population for refugees doesnt have access, ask your librarian to start a trial JavaScript work... Approaches while reorienting Western concepts to be more culturally sensitive pediatric care in a manner that a. End in.gov or.mil functional impairments, ableism ) are granted political asylum and permanently relocated to other,... An aspect of their Clients are a multitude of issues to take into account when engaging in with... Physicians may encounter in caring for this special population situations and mixed-status families are common knowing very few,! May alter the family 's dynamics 1994 ) Rhee, & amp ; Chang, )! 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