Cross-cultural research can make significant and indeed truly extraordinary contributions to positive social change. Studies in multiple nations can examine issues of race, class, and gender and provide data and evidence that may be utilized to inform social policies and projects to move society towards more equity and fewer health disparities. Additionally, cross-cultural research can help inform discussions about best treatment and intervention practices, and how these treatments and practices are best adapted and modified to be most effective to diverse groups.

Examine social issues related to cross-cultural research and positive social change.

Psychological research is more than an intellectual exercise. Data and evidence from cross-cultural work can be utilized to implement positive social change. For example, psychologists have worked on such social issues as global poverty, health disparities, and equality among groups. Other examples for positive social change one can consider how such research can be utilized to improve treatments and interventions for psychological disorders or for educational programs. For example, if research was only conducted in one culture, psychologists would not know whether the educational or therapy intervention that worked well in one culture works well or even works at all in another culture. Thus, conducting cross-cultural research can really lead to improved outcomes in many domains of relevance, such as in schools and in the counseling center.

Examine a social issue and explore ways that cross-cultural research can impact positive social change.

Post and briefly describe the social issue you selected and explain at least three ways that cross-cultural psychology research can inform policy change to improve society.

Note: Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources and identify current relevant literature to support your work.

Vignette Analysis I

Please keep your responses focused on what is presented in the vignettes. Do not add information but use your creativity to support what you see in the vignettes as written.  Avoid elaborations and assumptions. This assignment MUST be typed, double-spaced, in APA style, and must be written at graduate-level English.

Use the reading assignments thoroughly in an integrative discussion. Remember to reference all work cited or quoted by the text author. You should be doing this often in your responses. If you use outside resources, they should support the text information, but not replace the text.

You are encouraged to use the DSM-5 Level 2 Assessment Measure(s) to formulate your diagnosis:
http://www.psychiatry.org/practice/dsm/dsm5/online-assessment-measures#Level2

All discussions must take into account the legal and ethical considerations, as well as issues of culture and human diversity that may pertain to the vignettes below.  Legal and Ethical information is in Chapter 16 of the course text. Cultural information is covered throughout the course text and DSM 5. You may use alternative cultural resources to enhance your work.

Your assignment should be 3-4 pages plus a title and reference page.

Steven is a 28 year old male. His father was African-American and his mother was Hispanic-American. Steven grew up in East Los Angeles where gang activity was prominent. The oldest of 3 boys, Steven spent most of his childhood looking out for his 2 younger brothers. Both parents were alcoholics and “disinterested in us kids”.  At age 19, Steven moved by himself to a major East Coast city where he attended college and is doing well as an architect.  He is currently married to a woman he met in college. The couple is expecting their first child.

Steven comes to therapy upon the suggestion of his primary care physician due to chronic worry, anticipation of failure and fear that he will not be able to financially care for his wife and new baby, in spite of his lucrative and successful career. He also has ruminative thoughts, that that he is a facade and that, “people will find out who I really am.”

Steven tells you that lately he has gotten dizzy when driving on the highway and recently experienced the inability to breathe when at the mall with his wife.  He also tells you that sometimes when he closes his eyes, he sees his parents “beating each other up and can hear them screaming.”  He also discloses that sometimes he wakes up at night with clenched fists and feels like that scared little boy all over again. Lately he has been unable to leave the house without making sure the door is locked several times and avoids odd numbered streets on the way to work.

1. Formulate a Differential Diagnosis for Steven.  What comorbid disorders might you see?  Support your ideas by discussing what you see in the vignette utilizing your course readings thoroughly in your diagnostic formulation.  What information would you look for to confirm your diagnostic impression and why?

2. Choose two (2) theoretical models to explain Steven’s clinical presentation and suggested treatment modalities.  Support your ideas by discussing the models directly and specifically to Steven.

(Remember to consider culture, law and ethics when diagnosing and treating)
Assignment Outcomes:

Analyze the physical, cognitive, social and personality aspects of abnormal psychology and implications across the life span

Examine the major diagnostic domains and specific criteria associated with DSM-5 disorders.

Evaluate legal and ethical issues in mental health treatment

Develop an awareness of diversity and cross-cultural perspectives in abnormal psychology.

Explore available treatment and interdisciplinary services for community members experiencing mental health disorders.

Identify the barriers associated with seeking and receiving therapeutic services.