Characteristics of culturally and linguistically diverse mental health clients

The present study examined Queensland Transcultural Mental Health Centre (QTMHC) client characteristics in order to provide a better understanding for development of future health service delivery models. Archived data that was collected for 1499 clients over two years period (2007-2009) was analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi squares. The results indicated that clients were referred from a range of sources and were generally adults. There were more women than men, who sought services. At least half of the clients had language barriers and relied on bilingual workers. Most frequently expressed mental health issues were mood disorder symptoms, followed by symptoms of schizophrenia and psychosis and anxiety. Acculturation strains and stressors were described as the most common psychosocial issues. Mental health and psychosocial issues differed for age, gender and world regions from which the CALD clients originated. The findings provided an understanding of clients who seek services at QTMHC. Various ways in which transcultural services and data bases can be further improved are discussed

Exploring the effectiveness of the Tree of Life in promoting the therapeutic growth of refugee women living with HIV

The current study aimed to understand the experiences of refugee women living with HIV as they participated in the Tree of Life (ToL), a group-based narrative technique. A qualitative case study methodology was used. Five African refugee women took part in the study. The ToL consisted of seven two-hourly sessions conducted on weekly basis. Further, participants completed a feedback form after each session, and they were individually interviewed on completion of the ToL. The researchers kept detailed field notes. The data indicated that participants were motivated to attend the intervention in order to overcome their psychological distress, isolation and negative thoughts associated with their situation. Participants found the intervention beneficial. In a safe and supportive setting, and through the art making process, they were able to reflect on their painful past and current issues associated with their migratory stressors and with living with HIV. They identified personal strengths and qualities that enabled them to cope and build their resilience. The art making process and the discussion of the tree empowered them to re-author their life narratives. Finally, they related to each other and they developed a sense of connectedness. The findings indicate the Tree of Life as a promising technique for use with refugees living with HIV. Implications and future directions are discussed

Modification of the Catastrophic Cognitions Questionnaire (CCQ-M) for Normals and Patients: Exploratory and LISREL Analyses

The recently developed Catastrophic Cognitions Questionnaire (CCQ) was further inestigated using both student and anxiety patient samples. LISREL confirmatory factor analyses was used. The results showed that the CCQ could be explained by a three-factor oblique solution. These are Emotional Catastrophes, Physical Catastrophes, and Mental Catastrophes. The modified version of CCQ (CCQ-M) revealed good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and concurrent validity. It has also good discriminant validity. The CCQ-M can therefore be used with both normal and anxiety-disordered patients

The relationship of meta-worry and intolerance of uncertainty with pathological worry, anxiety, and depression

This study explored how meta-worry and intolerance of uncertainty relate to pathological worry, generalised anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, social phobia, and depression. University students (n = 253) completed a questionnaire battery. A series of regression analyses were conducted. The results indicated that meta-worry was associated with GAD, social phobia, obsessive compulsive, and depressive symptoms. Intolerance of uncertainty was related to GAD, social phobia, and obsessive compulsive symptoms, but not depressive symptoms. The importance of meta-worry and intolerance of uncertainty as predictors of pathological worry, GAD, social phobia, obsessive compulsive and depressive symptoms was also examined. Even though both factors significantly predicted the aforementioned symptoms, meta-worry emerged as a stronger predictor of GAD and obsessive compulsive symptoms than did intolerance of uncertainty. Intolerance of uncertainty, compared with meta-worry, appeared as a stronger predictor of social phobia symptoms. Findings emphasise the importance of addressing meta-worry and/or intolerance of uncertainty not only for the assessment and treatment of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), but also obsessive compulsive disorder, social phobia, and depression

Revisiting the factor structure of the Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire and Body Sensations Questionnaire: A confirmatory factor analysis study

The twin scales, Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire (ACQ) and Body Sensations Questionnaire (BSQ) (Chambless, Caputo, Bright & Gallagher, 1984) have been used frequently in the area of anxiety, and in particular, panic disorder with agoraphobia. The present study employed confirmatory factor analysis to investigate the factor structure of the scales on a sample of Australian anxiety disorder patients. Model testing indicated that neither the original nor the modified factor structures offered a good fit to the data. \ud In addition, confirmatory factor analyses highlighted statistical inconsistencies in the scales. Except for a few, most of the items were problematic. This indicated a need for possible revision of the scales. Moreover, until further research is conducted, researchers and clinicians are recommended to use the scales with caution

Acculturation of the Muslims settled in the West

Muslims from all over the World have settled in Western countries. They bring with themselves a rich cultural heritage and numerous skills. However, adjusting to a culture, different from their original culture, can be a challenge. They have to undergo an acculturation process to get adjusted to a new country and a new way of life. Although acculturation has been considered an important phase in the resettlement process, it has not been studied extensively with the Muslim population in the West. The present commentary examines briefly the studies conducted in the last decade. Findings are discussed and the gaps are highlighted. Future directions that researchers and academics could take are discussed

Multicultural mental health awareness scale

Australia is one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) society in the world. There are individuals from all over the globe settled in Australia. They enter Australia as migrants or refugees. Although, the process of migration differs from individual to individual, it can be an uprooting experience and can bring with it many mental health challenges which need professional attention. Mainstream allied and mental health professionals need to be prepared for this diverse population and their mental health issues and concerns. These professionals may have to offer multicultural counselling to clients from an ethnic and cultural background, which is very different from their own. It is therefore essential for them to demonstrate multicultural counselling competencies (MCC)..

Employment aspirations of former refugees settled in Australia: a mixed methods study

The present study used a mixed method approach to understand the employment related aspirations of former refugees from Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Myanmar, resettled in Australia. Aspiration was defined as the difference between the current and future aspired job. First, a quantitative approach was used with 222 participants, who completed a questionnaire with the help of interpreters. Analysis of variance was used to examine if the aspirations varied on the basis of the country of origin. Participants from DRC and Myanmar had higher aspirations than those from Ethiopia. Graphic data indicated that in general all three groups aspired for professional and managerial jobs. Second, using a qualitative approach, 47 former refugees from these three countries were interviewed. Thematic analysis indicated that, in general, many participants wanted to pursue their own business. Moreover, a range of obstacles in achieving these goals also became apparent. Limited English language proficiency, lack of information about how to secure these jobs, and personal and family members’ ill health interfered in participants’ ability to secure their aspired job. Lastly, we offer a few recommendations for relevant stakeholders

Using the University Student Depression Inventory to Investigate the Effect of Demographic Variables on Students’ Depression

Depression is a problem in the student population and may impact students of any age, gender and ethnicity. Previous studies have indicated student demographic characteristics are associated with depression; however, these studies have not utilised scales specifically designed to measure depression in the student population. The aim of the present study was to use the recently developed University Student Depression Inventory (USDI; N. G. Khawaja & K. J. Bryden, 2006) to examine the effect of demographic factors on student depression.\ud Australian university students (N = 287) completed the USDI and a demographic form that measured student age, gender, ethnicity, year-level, faculty, enrolment status, relationship status, employment-status, satisfaction with their financial position and accommodation. \ud A series of T-tests and One-way ANOVAs indicated depression was higher among females, students enrolled part-time, students working full-time, and those enrolled in the Faculty of Law. Students who were satisfied with their financial position and accommodation were significantly less depressed than those who were unsatisfied. The findings highlight the varying effect of different demographic factors on depression using the USDI. These findings are important for identifying and developing strategies to assist those student groups who may be at a greater risk of developing depression

Multicultural training experiences as predictors of psychology students’ cultural competence

The psychologists in the western world, including Australia, are required to be culturally competent due to the cultural diversity of these societies. Previous studies conducted in North America and Europe have found multicultural teaching, clinical experience with culturally diverse clients, and discussion of multicultural counselling issues in supervision to be related to the practitioner’s cultural competency. The present study examined factors contributing to trainee psychologists’ perceived level of cultural competence. It was hypothesised that multicultural teaching, clinical experience and supervision would be related to students’ level of cultural competence. One hundred and twenty seven postgraduate clinical psychology students completed an online survey battery that included demographic information, a social desirability measure, and the Multicultural Mental Health Awareness Scale (Khawaja, Gomez & Turner, 2009). This hypothesis was partially supported. Clinical experience and supervision focusing on multicultural issues were found to be related to participants’ perceived cultural competence, however, multicultural teaching was not. These results provide insight into how universities around Australia can facilitate future psychologists’ competence in working with clients from different cultural backgrounds