LSP Multicultural & Diversity Competence 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Berry's acculturation framework identifies four strategies. Which strategy involves maintaining one's heritage culture while fully participating in the dominant culture?
- Assimilation
- Separation
- Integration (Correct answer)
- Marginalization
Correct answer: Integration
Integration (also called biculturalism) involves retaining one's original culture while also participating in and adapting to the dominant culture.
Question 2: A heterosexual psychologist is treating an openly gay client and feels personal discomfort related to their own religious values. The MOST ethical course of action is to:
- Continue treating the client but set boundaries on discussion of sexual identity
- Immediately terminate treatment and refer the client elsewhere
- Seek supervision or personal consultation to address the values conflict and determine if referral is needed (Correct answer)
- Disclose religious beliefs to the client to promote transparency
Correct answer: Seek supervision or personal consultation to address the values conflict and determine if referral is needed
APA ethics require psychologists to manage values conflicts through consultation and supervision rather than abandonment or imposing values on clients.
Question 3: The ADDRESSING framework developed by Pamela Hays is used to:
- Assess severity of depression across cultural groups
- Identify multiple cultural influences on a client's identity, including age, disability, religion, and ethnicity (Correct answer)
- Train therapists in evidence-based multicultural interventions
- Measure acculturation levels in immigrant populations
Correct answer: Identify multiple cultural influences on a client's identity, including age, disability, religion, and ethnicity
The ADDRESSING framework is a mnemonic tool that helps clinicians consider ten cultural influences that shape a client's worldview and identity.
Question 4: Research on racial microaggressions in therapy suggests that therapists who commit microaggressions against clients of color are MOST likely to experience which outcome?
- Increased client disclosure due to heightened emotional arousal
- Premature client termination and reduced therapeutic alliance (Correct answer)
- Improved outcomes when microaggressions are addressed in session
- No significant impact on therapy outcomes if the microaggression is unintentional
Correct answer: Premature client termination and reduced therapeutic alliance
Studies show that racial microaggressions by therapists are associated with lower therapeutic alliance, reduced trust, and early dropout.
Question 5: When applying the DSM-5 Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI), the primary purpose is to:
- Determine a DSM diagnosis using culturally adapted symptom criteria
- Gather the client's own perspective on their problem, including cultural explanations and context (Correct answer)
- Screen for culture-bound syndromes not captured in standard diagnostic categories
- Assess the therapist's cultural competence prior to treatment planning
Correct answer: Gather the client's own perspective on their problem, including cultural explanations and context
The CFI is a client-centered interview designed to elicit how cultural factors shape the client's understanding of their distress and their help-seeking.
Question 6: A Black client reports experiencing chronic hypervigilance and anxiety related to repeated encounters with racial discrimination. The psychologist should FIRST consider which framework?
- Attachment theory as a model for interpersonal hypervigilance
- Race-based traumatic stress as a clinically meaningful framework for assessment (Correct answer)
- Generalized anxiety disorder criteria as the primary diagnostic lens
- Cognitive distortions that amplify perceived discrimination
Correct answer: Race-based traumatic stress as a clinically meaningful framework for assessment
Race-based traumatic stress, conceptualized by Robert Carter, provides a validated framework for understanding psychological injury from racial discrimination.
Question 7: A psychologist practicing in a rural community serves many clients who belong to the same religious community. Which ethical concern is MOST prominent?
- Transference and countertransference dynamics
- Dual relationships and boundary management (Correct answer)
- Scope of practice limitations
- Competence in providing faith-based therapy
Correct answer: Dual relationships and boundary management
In rural and tight-knit cultural communities, multiple relationships are almost inevitable and require proactive boundary management to protect client welfare.
LSP Multicultural & Diversity Competence 3
Berry's acculturation framework identifies four strategies.
Which strategy involves maintaining one's heritage culture while fully participating in the dominant culture?