Question

how do issues of diversity - such as race, gender, age culture, etc..influence the way mental disorders are diagnosed and treated especially where assessment is concerned?

Answer 1

In psychological assessments, issues of diversity are considered important. It is because human society is not a uniform structure, rather it is a complex structure comprising of diverse types of social groups. These groups are characterized by several inter and intra-group variations. These groups are differentiated from one another on the basis of certain criteria including, race, ethnicity, gender, age, culture, economy, political power and religion. Many times these are hierarchically arranged whereby one group dominates the other group. Sometimes the dominated group becomes marginalized and faces different types of atrocities incurred by the dominating group.

The constant suppression, deprivation, marginalization and living under the awe of the dominant group gives rise different types types of psychological disorders and complexes among the people of the dominated group. Even the dominant group has certain types of psychological disorders like ethnocentric attitude, superiority complex etc.

There are several write-ups narrating that people belonging to one race dislikes another the people another race to an extent that they ill-treat them, mock upon them and don't like to mingle with them. This has sometimes given rise to racial conflicts and psychological issues among the other group.

Similarly among the male dominated societies, women face several types of abuses. The women and children are considered as commodity and their needs are not recognized. The dominance of the males and elders makes the women and children prone to several types of psychological disorders To tackle this situation Human Rights Commission was formed.

There are certain cultural attributes , which are unique for a particular social group and is in contrast with the beliefs and cultural attributes of another group. This not only differentiates one group from another but the people following the modern life style and modern religion look down upon the traditional and cultural behavior of another group. These differences could be in terms of eating habits, dress, ways of life etc.

A researcher should take into account all these factors before conducting the assessment test in a particular group. The tools used for assessment should be prepared and modified for a particular, keeping in mind their race, gender, age, culture etc.