Cross Cultural Assessment and Treatment of Psychological Trauma and PTSD: Western Conceptualisations and Eastern Experiences

War has a catastrophic effect on the psychological health and well-being of nations, communities, families and individuals. Refugees and asylum seekers represent a diverse range of cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds.... [ view full abstract ]

War has a catastrophic effect on the psychological health and well-being of nations, communities, families and individuals. Refugees and asylum seekers represent a diverse range of cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds. The relationship between trauma and culture is both significant and bi-directional. Trauma theorist Jerome Kroll and Laurence Kirmayor perceived the notion of trauma as a timeless, biological response to adversity that occurs independently of culture as naive. The experience of psychological trauma and the emotional reactions differ from culture to culture. Many Eastern communities have existed as a collective self for generations and it is crucial to acknowledge this in our current trauma approaches.

Culturally appropriate psychological trauma work can be achieved with an understanding of traditional cultural practices, through the use of religious symbolism and folk stories, re-telling trauma experiences through culturally appropriate language, exploring cultural norms and traditional ways of coping with stressors and providing psycho-education to reduce mental health stigma. Clinical interventions, culturally appropriate models, therapist's awareness of their own cultural biases and challenges to therapy will be discussed.