Examination of cultural competence in service providers in an early intervention programme for psychosis in Montreal, Quebec: Perspectives of service users and treatment providers

Abstract

Service users accorded less import to service providers' cultural competence than providers themselves, owing possibly to varied socialization. A mismatch in users' and providers' views on providers' efforts to know their users' cultures may influence mental healthcare outcomes.

Service provider perceptions of posttraumatic growth experienced by service users receiving treatment for a first episode of psychosis

“…Clinicians may be reluctant to discuss spiritual issues, or to identify spiritual resources that can facilitate recovery (e.g., prayer) with clients (Larsen, 2004;Milner, Crawford, Edgley, Hare-Duke, & Slade, 2019;Park, 2013). In our study, such reluctance may have been influenced by the unwillingness within the province of Quebec to incorporate religious aspects of life (e.g., religious attire) within public spaces (Venkataraman, Jordan, Pope, & Iyer, 2018); and by case managers' potential fear of reinforcing delusional thoughts (Larsen, 2004).…”

How clinicians can support posttraumatic growth following psychosis: a perspective piece

“…In some settings, such as in early intervention services for psychosis, both clinicians and service users have reported stigma around spirituality and a reluctance to discuss spiritual issues (Larsen, 2004). Spirituality and religion, which are important for many people, are often not discussed, and there is a tendency to view spiritual or religious content within therapeutic encounters unfavourably (Yamada et al 2020), particularly within societies that emphasize secularism (Venkataraman et al 2018). There is a concern among clinicians that engaging with spiritual or religious resources or practices may support the development of, or perhaps reinforce, religious or spiritual delusions or hallucinations (Larsen, 2004;Mohr, 2004).…”