Cultural Adaptations to Therapeutic Interventions: A Review

Brotherhood, Jess (2017) Cultural Adaptations to Therapeutic Interventions: A Review. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)


Abstract

Culturally diverse Australians seeking psychological intervention mostly receive nonmodified therapies which do not acknowledge their cultural differences. This review sought to identify adaptations and to recognize common adaptation themes within the literature. Publications were required to specifically address either Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, or any combination of the three to be eligible for inclusion. Results procured from fifteen publications found that a wide range of adaptations were available and that most related to patient-therapist relationships, therapeutic frameworks, the therapeutic process, the use of tools, and the use of external resources. Other adaptations found related to the therapist, socio-environmental factors, and healthcare as an institution. Analysis of the results determined that common themes were present, with consensus between the publications. An approach to adaptation was also documented, with the recommendation that patients be viewed as unique individuals, not merely as a representative of their culture. From this review, it is recommended that future research be conducted to gain empirical evidence for cultural adaptations applied, and to determine if the modified therapies maintain the integrity of the parent intervention. It is also recommended that until empirical evidence is produced, modifications be used with caution.


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Item Type: Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours)
Item Status: Live Archive
Additional Information: Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Counselling (1 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2021)
Supervisors: Leander Mitchell
Qualification: Bachelor of Science (Honours)
Date Deposited: 20 Aug 2025 01:13
Last Modified: 20 Aug 2025 01:13
Uncontrolled Keywords: adaptation, culture, diversity, intervention, modification, multicultural, therapy, treatment, Western practices.
Fields of Research (2008): 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified
Fields of Research (2020): 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified
URI: https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52183

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