Cultural dimensions essay

In a very special way, culture accounts for a large percentage of how people communicate and interact with others (Juckett, 2013). How they are able to communicate their feelings, symptoms, and thinking are affected by the cultural setup. Culture also dictates if people actually seek help in the first place. The culture to which a person belongs to dictates many areas of mental health and mental illness. Actually, there exists more diversity within a population than among populations. Moreover, the consequences might include extreme distress, disability, and possibilities of suicides. A special example is HIV/AIDS which people for a long time stigmatized. Culture also has a direct hand in causing mental disorders. For example, the post-traumatic stress disorder that is caused by exposure to severe trauma.

This often involves a longstanding pattern of symptoms accompanied by biological changes. A family has different features. Most of these features have a say on mental health and mental illness. Most of these features can either protect an individual or fail to protect and contribute to the risk of developing a mental illness. An individual who has a supportive family and a good relationship with their siblings has more protection against mental illness. An individual who lacks these two risks mental disorders and even suicide. On the other hand, African American tend to take an active approach when coping with their problems. Studies have shown that better-coping styles, promote mental health and prevent mental illness. Immigration Migration involves adapting to a new culture.

Immigrants who are running away from political forces experience more trauma than voluntary immigrants. The trauma is often experienced in the first few years. Theoretical explanations Through psychology, human thought, feeling, and behavior are studied. The preceding part has tried to show how culture affects mental health, disorders, and illness. This can be explained as follows; Analytical theories provide a basis of studying human growth and development. It involves studying what motivates human thought and behavior. Once we have understood this theory, then we can have insight into individuals and society. Collectivism plays a critical role in establishing a better relationship between client and doctor. This is because people do believe the locus of control in their lives rests securely with themselves.

In the case study, the instant the doctor learning that Maria, is not American native, his attitudes changed and shift his expectations from Maria and talk with Angel. This behavior of the doctor is not professional; he should have sought more opinions from Maria. This will affect Doctor-Maria relation because avoiding seeking a second opinion. Mental disorders affect people regardless of race or ethnic group. It is clear that mental illness is as a result of biological, psychological, social and cultural factors. Other factors such as stigma racism and discrimination are also major determinants of mental disorder. The cultures also determine the types of mental illness. References Zimmermann, K. Hays, P. A. Addressing the complexities of culture and gender in counseling.