Cultural suitability of schema therapy: a qualitative exploration of clinician views

Objective There is a growing popularity in the worldwide use of schema therapy (ST) to address a variety of psychological disorders. Yet, research into the cultural suitability of ST is scarce. This study aimed to explore ST clinicians’ experiences of the cultural suitability of ST.Method Eleven cli...

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Main Authors: Irene R. Martin, Sandra E. Stewart, Phillip Tchernegovski, Bethany D. Devenish
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:Australian Journal of Psychology
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/00049530.2024.2412012
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author Irene R. Martin
Sandra E. Stewart
Phillip Tchernegovski
Bethany D. Devenish
author_facet Irene R. Martin
Sandra E. Stewart
Phillip Tchernegovski
Bethany D. Devenish
author_sort Irene R. Martin
collection DOAJ
description Objective There is a growing popularity in the worldwide use of schema therapy (ST) to address a variety of psychological disorders. Yet, research into the cultural suitability of ST is scarce. This study aimed to explore ST clinicians’ experiences of the cultural suitability of ST.Method Eleven clinicians from nine countries were interviewed about their experiences of practising ST. Interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.Results Two main themes, each with subthemes, were identified. The first theme was considerations for Cultural Context and Content: (i) Incongruence with Cultural Norms of Emotional Expression, (ii) “Maladaptive” or “Adaptive”, But in What Context?, and (iii) Issues Related to Familism when Addressing Parent/Critic Modes. The second theme focused on clinicians’ Cultural Competence: (i) Perceptions of Reduced Confidence and Competence in Providing Culturally Responsive Practice, and (ii) Clinicians’ Cultural Values Impacting ST Delivery. Participants discussed strategies to improve the cultural-responsiveness of ST, suggesting areas for further development.Conclusion Present findings suggest that ST is not a one-size-fits-all approach, underscoring the need to improve the cultural responsiveness of ST, while better supporting clinicians to develop their cultural competence. Future research is needed to establish evidence-based cultural adaptations for ST.
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spelling doaj-art-a0655ef07b5f499e8678205dcd4acdd62025-08-20T02:30:36ZengTaylor & Francis GroupAustralian Journal of Psychology0004-95301742-95362024-12-0176110.1080/00049530.2024.2412012Cultural suitability of schema therapy: a qualitative exploration of clinician viewsIrene R. Martin0Sandra E. Stewart1Phillip Tchernegovski2Bethany D. Devenish3School of Educational Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Education, Monash University, Clayton, AustraliaSchool of Educational Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Education, Monash University, Clayton, AustraliaSchool of Educational Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Education, Monash University, Clayton, AustraliaMonash Krongold Clinic, Faculty of Education, Monash University, Clayton, AustraliaObjective There is a growing popularity in the worldwide use of schema therapy (ST) to address a variety of psychological disorders. Yet, research into the cultural suitability of ST is scarce. This study aimed to explore ST clinicians’ experiences of the cultural suitability of ST.Method Eleven clinicians from nine countries were interviewed about their experiences of practising ST. Interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.Results Two main themes, each with subthemes, were identified. The first theme was considerations for Cultural Context and Content: (i) Incongruence with Cultural Norms of Emotional Expression, (ii) “Maladaptive” or “Adaptive”, But in What Context?, and (iii) Issues Related to Familism when Addressing Parent/Critic Modes. The second theme focused on clinicians’ Cultural Competence: (i) Perceptions of Reduced Confidence and Competence in Providing Culturally Responsive Practice, and (ii) Clinicians’ Cultural Values Impacting ST Delivery. Participants discussed strategies to improve the cultural-responsiveness of ST, suggesting areas for further development.Conclusion Present findings suggest that ST is not a one-size-fits-all approach, underscoring the need to improve the cultural responsiveness of ST, while better supporting clinicians to develop their cultural competence. Future research is needed to establish evidence-based cultural adaptations for ST.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/00049530.2024.2412012Schema therapyreflexive thematic analysiscultural adaptationcultural competence
spellingShingle Irene R. Martin
Sandra E. Stewart
Phillip Tchernegovski
Bethany D. Devenish
Cultural suitability of schema therapy: a qualitative exploration of clinician views
Australian Journal of Psychology
Schema therapy
reflexive thematic analysis
cultural adaptation
cultural competence
title Cultural suitability of schema therapy: a qualitative exploration of clinician views
title_full Cultural suitability of schema therapy: a qualitative exploration of clinician views
title_fullStr Cultural suitability of schema therapy: a qualitative exploration of clinician views
title_full_unstemmed Cultural suitability of schema therapy: a qualitative exploration of clinician views
title_short Cultural suitability of schema therapy: a qualitative exploration of clinician views
title_sort cultural suitability of schema therapy a qualitative exploration of clinician views
topic Schema therapy
reflexive thematic analysis
cultural adaptation
cultural competence
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/00049530.2024.2412012
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