Multicultural Social Work Practice: A Competency–Based Approach to Diversity and Social Justice

AN UPDATED EXAMINATION OF DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE WITHIN THE FIELD OF SOCIAL WORK

Multicultural Social Work Practice: A Competency–Based Approach to Diversity and Social Justice offers a practical guide for developing an understanding of cultural differences and the sociopolitical dimensions of culturally competent care. Thoroughly revised and updated, the second edition is aligned with the Council on Social Work Education′s 2015 Educational Policy and Standards and incorporates the National Association of Social Workers Standards of Cultural Competence.

The second edition addresses the inclusion of theoretical perspectives of critical race theory and anti–oppression social work practice models. The revised text contains illustrative examples of micro–aggressions (forms of interpersonal and environmental oppression towards marginalized populations). The authors also review evidence–based practice on research–supported approaches for understanding the influence of cultural difference, and the importance of considering client characteristics, culture, and preferences in assessment, intervention plans, and therapeutic outcomes.

The thoroughly revised second edition offers new content and pedagogical features, including:

Theoretical frameworks for multicultural social work practice An expanded discussion of religion and spirituality Emerging issues of diverse population such as women in the military New chapter overviews, learning objectives, and reflection questions

Multicultural Social Work Practice, Second Edition is filled with culturally appropriate intervention strategies for working with a diverse clientele and a primer for becoming aware of systemic forces affecting both their clients and clinicians.

Preface

About the Authors

Part I Principles and Assumptions of Multicultural Social Work Practice

Chapter 1 Cultural Diversity and Implications for Multicultural Social Work Practice

Chapter Learning Objectives

Overview

Voices of Diversity and Marginalization

African American Male

Gay American

Female Worker

Person with a Disability

Person in Poverty

Undocumented Immigrant Family

The Diversification of the United States and Implications for Social Work

The Multiple Dimensions of Human Identity

Individual Level

Group Level

Universal Level

Individual and Universal Biases in Social Work

Multicultural Challenges in Social Work Practice

Implications for Multicultural Social Work Practice

Summary

Chapter 2 Theoretical Frameworks for Multicultural Social Work Practice

Chapter Learning Objectives

Overview

Theoretical Frameworks for Multicultural Social Work Practice

Ecological Systems Perspective

Strengths Perspective

Social Justice and Human Rights

A Critical and Anti–Oppressive Perspective

Anti–Racism as a Social Work Agenda

Intersectionality Perspective

Implications for Multicultural Social Work Practice

Chapter 3 Becoming Culturally Competent in Social Work Practice

Chapter Learning Objectives

Overview

Is Being Culturally Competent Possible?

Defining Cultural Competence in Social Work Practice

The Four Components of Cultural Competence

Competency One: Becoming Aware of One s Own Assumptions, Values, and Biases about Human Behavior

Competency Two: Understanding the Worldview of Culturally Diverse Clients

Competency Three: Developing Appropriate Intervention Strategies and Techniques

Competency Four: Understanding Organizational and Institutional Forces that Enhance or Negate Cultural Competence

A Working Definition of Cultural Competence

Multidimensional Model of Cultural Competence in Social Work

Dimension I: Group–Specific Worldviews

Dimension II: Components of Cultural Competence

Dimension III: Foci of Social Work Interventions

What Is Multicultural Social Work Practice?

Implications for Multicultural Social Work Practice

Summary

Part II Multicultural Social Work Practice: Systemic Oppression and Social Justice

Chapter 4 Understanding the Sociopolitical Implications of Oppression and Power in Social Work Practice

Chapter Learning Objectives

Overview

A Clash of Expectations

Effects of Historical and Current Oppression

Ethnocentric Monoculturalism

Belief in Superiority

Belief in the Inferiority of Others

Power to Impose Standards

Manifestation in Institutions

The Invisible Veil

Historical Manifestations of Ethnocentric Monoculturalism

Impact of Ethnocentric Monoculturalism in Helping Relationships

Credibility, Expertness, and Trustworthiness in Multicultural Social Work Practice

Credibility of the Social Worker

Implications for Multicultural Social Work Practice

Summary

Chapter 5 Microaggressions in Social Work Practice

Chapter Learning Objectives

Overview

What Did He Really Mean?

Microaggression as a Form of Oppression

Microaggression and the Clash of Sociodemographic Realities

Microaggressions and the Invisibility of Unintentional Expressions of Bias

Microaggression and the Perceived Minimal Harm

The Catch–22 of Responding to Microaggressions

Categories of Microaggressions

Microaggression and Social Worker Practice

Microaggressions and Social Work Practice

Microinsult and Direct Social Work Practice

Microinvalidation and Direct Social Work Practice

Implications for Direct Social Work Practice

Summary

Part III Racial/Cultural Identity Development and Multicultural Social Work Practice

Chapter 6 Racial/Cultural Minority Identity Development

Chapter Learning Objectives

Overview

Who Am I?

Racial/Cultural Identity Development Models

Black Identity Development Models

Other Racial/Ethnic Identity Development Models

Feminist Identity Theory

A Working Racial/Cultural Identity Development Model

Conformity Stage

Dissonance Stage

Resistance and Immersion Stage

Introspection Stage

Integrative Awareness Stage

Implications of the R/CID Model for Multicultural Social Work Practice

Summary

Chapter 7 White Racial Identity Development

Chapter Learning Objectives

Overview

What Does It Mean to Be White?

42–Year–Old White Businessman

26–Year–Old White Female College Student

65–Year–Old White Male Retired Construction Worker

34–Year–Old White Female Stockbroker

29–Year–Old Latina Administrative Assistant

39–Year–Old Black Male Salesman

21–Year–Old Chinese American Male College Student (majoring in ethnic studies)

The Invisible Whiteness of Being

Understanding the Dynamics of Whiteness

Models of White Racial Identity Development

The Hardiman White Racial Identity Development Model

The Helms White Racial Identity Model

The Process of White Racial Identity Development: A Descriptive Model

Conformity Phase

Dissonance Phase

Resistance and Immersion Phase

Introspection Phase

Integrative Awareness Phase

Implications for Multicultural Social Work Practice

Summary

Part IV The Practice Dimensions of Multicultural Social

Chapter 8 Barriers to Effective Multicultural Clinical Practice

Chapter Learning Objectives

Overview

Cultural Barriers: A Case Example

Generic Characteristics of Counseling/Therapy

Sources of Conflict and Misinterpretation in Clinical Practice

Culture–Bound Values

Class–Bound Values

Language Barriers

Generalizations and Stereotypes: Some Cautions

Implications for Multicultural Social Work Practice

Summary

Chapter 9 Cultural Styles in Multicultural Intervention Strategies

Chapter Learning Objectives

Overview

Speaking from My Cultural Space : A Case Example

Communication Styles

Nonverbal Communication

Proxemics

Kinesics

Paralanguage

High–/Low–Context Communication

Sociopolitical Facets of Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbals as Reflections of Bias

Nonverbals as Triggers to Biases and Fears

Differential Skills in Multicultural Social Work Practice

Implications for Multicultural Social Work Practice

Summary

Chapter 10 Multicultural Family–Based Social Work Interventions

Chapter Learning Objectives

Overview

Family Life, Mental Health and Culture: A Case Study

Family Systems Approaches and Assumptions

Issues in Working with Ethnic Minority Families

Ethnic Minority Reality

Conflicting Value Systems

Biculturalism and Acculturation

Ethnic Differences in Minority Status

Ethnicity and Language

Ethnicity and Social Class

Multicultural Family Social Work: A Conceptual Model

People Nature Relationship

Time Dimension

Relational Dimension

Activity Dimension

Nature of People Dimension

Implications for Multicultural Social Work Practice

Summary

Chapter 11 Religion, Spirituality and Indigenous Methods of Healing

Chapter Learning Objectives

Overview

Religion, Spirituality and Social Work Education

Religious Affiliation and Ethnic Identity

Asian Americans and Religious Identity

African American Religious Identity

Hispanic Religious Identity and Affiliation

Native American Spirituality

Muslim American and Religious Affiliation

Spiritual Assessments in Social Work Practice

Indigenous Spirituality and Healing

Spirit Attacks: The Case of Vang Xiong

The Legitimacy of Culture–Bound Syndromes: Nightmare Deaths and the Hmong Sudden Death Phenomenon

Causation and Spirit Possession

The Shaman as Therapist: Commonalities

The Principles of Indigenous Healing

Holistic Outlook, Interconnectedness, and Harmony

Belief in Metaphysical Levels of Existence

Spirituality in Life and the Cosmos

Implications for Multicultural Social Work Practice

Summary

Chapter 12 Multicultural Organizational Change: Antiracism Practice and Social Justice

Chapter Learning Objectives

Overview

Where Do Social Workers Do Social Work?

Monocultural versus Multicultural Organizational Perspectives in Social Work

Lesson One: A failure to develop a balanced perspective between person focus and system focus can result in false attribution of the problem.

Lesson Two: A failure to develop a balanced perspective between person focus and system focus can result in an ineffective and inaccurate treatment plan that is potentially harmful toward the client.

Lesson Three: When the client is the organization or a larger system and not an individual, it requires a major paradigm shift to attain a true understanding of problem and solution identification.

Lesson Four: Organizations are microcosms of the wider society from which they originate. As a result, they are likely to be reflections of the monocultural values and practices of the larger culture.

Lesson Five: Organizations are powerful entities that inevitably resist change and possess within their arsenal many ways to force compliance in individuals.

Lesson Six: When multicultural organizational development is required, alternative helping roles that emphasize systems intervention must be part of the role repertoire of the social worker.

Lesson Seven: Although remediation will always be needed, prevention is better.

Models of Multicultural Organizational Development

Culturally Competent Social Service Agencies

The Social Justice Agenda of Multicultural Social Work

Antiracism Practice and Social Justice

Principle One: Having Intimate and Close Contact With Others

Principle Two: Cooperating Rather Than Competing

Principle Three: Sharing Mutual Goals

Principle Four: Exchanging Accurate Information

Principle Five: Sharing an Equal Relationship

Principle Six: Supporting Racial Equity by Leaders and Groups in Authority

Principle Seven: Feeling Connected and Experiencing a Strong Sense of Belonging

Implications for Multicultural Social Work Practice

Summary

Chapter 13 Evidence–Based Multicultural Social Work Practice

Chapter Learning Objectives

Overview

From Doing Good to Doing Well

What Is Evidence–Based Practice?

Evidence–Based Practice with Ethnic Minorities

Empirically Supported Interventions (EST) and Empirically Supported Relationships (ESR)

Integration of EBP and EST to Enhance Multicultural Sensitivity

Empirically Supported Treatment

Implications

Empirically Supported Relationships

The Working Alliance

Emotional or Interpersonal Bond

Empathy

Positive Regard, Respect, Warmth, and Genuineness

Self–Disclosure

Management of Countertransference

Goal Consensus

Implications for Multicultural Social Work Practice

Summary

Part V Culturally Competent Social Work Practice with Diverse Populations

Chapter 14 Profiles of Diverse Populations

Chapter Learning Objectives

Overview

Culturally Competent Social Work Practice with African Americans

Important Dimensions

Culturally Competent Social Work Practice with Asian American and Pacific Islanders

Important Dimensions

Culturally Competent Social Work Practice with Native American/First Nations Peoples and Alaska Natives

Important Dimensions

Culturally Competent Social Work Practice with Latino/Hispanic Populations

Important Dimensions

Culturally Competent Social Work Practice with Immigrants and Refugees

Important Dimensions

Culturally Competent Social Work Practice with Biracial/Multiracial Populations

Important Dimensions

Culturally Competent Social Work Practice with Women

Important Dimensions

Culturally Competent Social Work Practice with LBGT Individuals

Important Dimensions

Culturally Competent Social Work Practice with Older Adults

Important Dimensions

Culturally Competent Social Work Practice with Persons with Disabilities

Important Dimensions

Summary

Author Index

Subject Index

DERALD WING SUE, PHD, is a Professor of Psychology and Education in the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University, where he also holds a joint appointment with the School of Social Work.

MIKAL N. RASHEED, PHD, LCSW, is a Professor of Social Work and Director of the Master of Social Work Program at Chicago State University and Director of the Urban Solutions Institute at Chicago State University.

JANICE MATTHEWS RASHEED, PHD, LCSW, is a Professor of Social Work at Loyola University Chicago′s School of Social Work.