Culturally Competent Assessments March 20, 2007
General Areas of Assessment Family History Developmental/Medical History Education/Work History Social History Substance Use History Psychiatric History Legal/Court Involvement Agency Involvement Mental Status Exam
Family History Acculturation Methods of assessment (# of years not sufficient) Inside versus outside home Values/Behavior Family roles Patriarchal; matriarchal? Family relationships Parent-child relationships Who is considered family? Genograms
Developmental/Medical History Pregnancy/Delivery In utero exposure to toxins Developmental Delays Family Medical Illness Etiology Treatment
Education/Work School History Level of formal education Literacy in own language and in English Work History Number of jobs; Length of time working Legal issues (work visa?)
Social History Hobbies Career Aspirations Religion/Spiritual Practices Strengths Personal; Family; Cultural Sources of Support
Psychiatric History Views of Mental Illness Etiology Treatment Counseling (beliefs) Medication
Substance Use History Types of Substances Purpose of Use Medicinal; Spiritual; Recreational
Agency Involvement DSS DYS USCIS FST
Legal/Court Involvement Reasons Criminal History of Charges or Arrests Civil (custody) Political (immigration; advocacy/protests) Incarceration Attorney
Mental Status Exam
Appearance, Behavior, & Relatedness Dress Eye contact Too little; too much; none? Rapport Ease or difficulty Building relationship
Mood and Affect Emotions: happy, sad, mad, angry Suicidal Ideation/Homicidal Ideation Sleep Appetite; Weight gain/loss
Speech and Thought Process Speech: Rate of speech; Tone of voice Loud or soft voices Thought Process: Organized/Tangential/Circumstantial Storytelling? Delusional Thinking Spiritual experiences (e.g., Visions) Psychotic Behavior
Cognition and Memory General Knowledge: Current U.S. President Current Events President of their country of origin Mental Tasks Social Behavior
Collateral Contacts Who else do you talk to?
Case Formulation Demographic Summary of presenting concerns & client strengths Interpretation of symptoms Plan of Intervention Primary problem to be addressed Areas for further exploration