Cultural Sensitivity and Cognitive Therapy in India

Abstract

An exploratory study was conducted to determine whether two groups of graduate students in India felt that the cognitive approach to therapy conflicted with their religious beliefs and cultural and family values. Although the results of the study indicated that most of the students surveyed felt that the cognitive approach to counseling conflicted with their values and beliefs, there was no common trend identified. The implications of the findings are discussed.

University students’ views about compatibility of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) with their personal, social and religious values (a study from Pakistan)

“…One third of the students thought that these concepts were not compatible with their religious values. This percentage is closer to the percentage in the Indian study where 40 % of the students thought that the concepts of psychotherapy were in conflict with their religious beliefs (Scorzelli and Reinke-Scorzelli 1994). In Thailand the participants did not think that the values of CBT were in conflict with their religious values(Reinke- Scorzelli and Scorzelli 2001).…”

“…The participants said that "Buddhism emphasized the present and focused on an awareness of one's identify and behavior" and that "the mind is the major cause of suffering". The differences between these studies highlight the fact that there might be wide variations among Asian cultures in terms of acceptability of cognitive therapy (Reinke-Scorzelli and Scorzelli 2001).…”

“…In order to adapt Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for use in non western cultures it might be useful to start with an investigation to assess how consistent the concepts underpinning therapy are with, the way people view themselves, their world and people them live with. Scorzelli et al (Scorzelli and Reinke-Scorzelli 1994) in a study of psychology students in India found that 82% students felt that the cognitive approaches to therapy were in conflict with their values and beliefs, 46% reported that therapy was in conflict with their cultural and/or family values and 40% described these to conflict with their religious beliefs. The main reasons for this incompatibility were described to be religious beliefs that human destiny is controlled by supernatural powers and influenced by the deeds committed in previous cycle of life.…”

Cultural adaptation of cognitive–behavioural therapy

“…One study from India reported that 82% of psychology students felt that principles underlying cognitive therapy conflicted with their values and beliefs (Scorzelli 1994). Of these, 46% said that the therapy clashed with their cultural and family values and 40% described conflict with their religious beliefs.…”

Viewpoint: WHO World Mental Health Surveys International College Student initiative: Implementation issues in low‐ and middle‐income countries

“…Students in some countries may also be less familiar with research and thus would require detailed explanation about the meaning of the trial and implications of their participation. Some religious beliefs and cultural values may also conflict with traditional therapeutic approaches (Scorzelli & Reinke-Scorzelli, 1994;Shefer et al, 2013) and thus require adaptation to facilitate engagement and effectiveness (Bhugra & Bhui, 2006;Lewer, O'Reilly, Mojtabai, & Evans-Lacko, 2015;Moodley & Palmer, 2014). Finally, limited internet connectivity in some countries may require a platform with a lower bandwith.…”