Acceso usuarios
Lorraine T. Benuto, Jonathan Singer, Jena Casas, Frances González, Allison Ruork
This research established a definition of cultural competency from the perspective of the psychologists using mixed methodology. In Study 1 (N= 9) participants were interviewed and asked how they conceptualize cultural competency; three emergent themes were identified: awareness, knowledge, and skills. Based on the results from Study 1, a survey was created for Study 2 and completed by psychologists (N= 142). Results from a confirmatory factor analysis did not support cultural competency as a 3-dimensional construct. A post-hoc exploratory factor analysis suggested that cultural competency is best conceptualized as a 2-dimensional construct consisting of knowledge/awareness and skills. Results suggest that the knowledge needed to work with diverse populations is more than simply knowing about the major cultural groups in the United States; a more sophisticated level of knowledge is needed as there are many cultures and sub-cultures.
