Family Mental Health And Cultural Differences: Embracing Intersectionality
Families made up of people from different cultures may face barriers to communication, understanding, and support. These families can experience conflict when members are unable to fully practice or express their cultures, and a lack of knowledge or education may lead families to face stigma and marginalization. Understanding how to embrace cultural differences and create an equitable environment for all family members may lessen the gap between differences and strengthen bonds. Family members may benefit from working with a therapist to enhance communication and conflict-resolution skills.
The connection between mental health and culture
Culture can include religion, food, what one wears and how one wears it, language, marriage, music, and racial or ethnic background. Culture can also be influenced by how someone grows up, their identity, and the traditions in which they participate due to societal expectations or rituals.
In families, members may have different cultures when an interracial adoption occurs, parents practice different religions, individuals speak different languages, or when the family includes people from different countries or walks of life.
Culture can be important to mental health because it typically influences how people discuss mental health topics, seek professional help, and cope with symptoms. People who practice certain religions or belong to specific spiritual groups may struggle to see mental health as being treatable with clinical care. Those who grew up in a country that did not value mental health or saw it in a different way than it is viewed in the United States may struggle to seek help or label their symptoms. In addition, some people may avoid seeking Western medicine because they grew up with holistic and Eastern care. Family members who disapprove of these methods or make unkind comments may discourage others from seeking help.
Practicing one’s religion or cultural traditions can improve mental health, allowing them to embrace their individuality. However, when family members have different cultural beliefs or try to restrict a person’s cultural exploration, conflict can arise and may contribute to chronic stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms.
What is a multicultural family?
A multicultural family typically comprises people with different cultural backgrounds, often in race, ethnicity, or religion. For example, one partner in a couple may practice Christianity, while the other practices Judaism, or a married couple may be made up of individuals of different ethnicities. Misunderstandings can arise if a person is not educated on or familiar with cultural identities other than their own.
Children in a multicultural family may also be affected by cultural and social factors, as they may be influenced by multiple cultures, especially if their parents are immigrants who speak a different language. Approximately 56% of children of immigrants are bilingual. Children who come from a multicultural family may develop a more complex understanding of both of their parents’ cultures if they are raised in an environment where it is safe for all family members to practice their beliefs and traditions.
What is intersectionality in mental health?
The term intersectionality generally means accepting that various parts of one’s identity can uniquely interact with life experiences in ways that may require an equitable approach to understanding and community. For example, a person’s gender, race, class, religion, sexuality, chronic physical illness, ethnicity, language, and other identity factors can impact how they move in the world and how others perceive and treat them. Marginalized groups often have a higher risk of mental health conditions and suicide.
In the context of mental health, people with certain identities may be more likely to face racism, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia, and other forms of oppression. Oppression can contribute to mental illness and emotional symptoms in some people.
In a family group, a person from one culture may perceive that their family members do not understand their culture or do not give them the space to be authentic. In these cases, anxiety, shame, depression, and other mental health concerns can arise.
Honoring intersectionality to positively influence mental health in a family can look like the following:
- Being open to learning more about someone’s identity and traditions, even if you do not fully understand them
- Asking how you can be more accepting of cultural influences
- Taking the initiative to learn more about the person’s culture
- Setting boundaries around your own identities
- Communicating about how your experiences may differ from another family member’s and what that means to you
- Setting boundaries around your religious, spiritual, and cultural practices
- Including your family in cultural practices
- Practicing self-care when facing oppression or stigma
- Finding a community, such as a support group or cultural center, like an immigration support group or African heritage cultural group
Adoption, culture, and mental health
In some cases, multicultural families involve parents or caregivers who adopt a child from a different country or race.
Multicultural families who have adopted a child from another culture may benefit from educating themselves on the child’s country or culture of origin and the potential racial barriers they may face. It can be helpful for them to give their child space to practice cultural traditions and learn about their significance. It may also be beneficial to have them join clubs or groups that honor their heritage and allow them to meet others with similar backgrounds.
How to promote healthy dynamics in a multicultural family
Consider the following tips when building a healthy family dynamic that incorporates equity and inclusion.
Encourage cultural immersion
Parents of multicultural children may encourage their children to practice traditions from their heritage and participate in cultural events, such as Juneteenth for Black individuals or the Chinese New Year for those from China. In addition, cultural immersion can look like family participation in religious or spiritual traditions. For example, if one partner is Jewish and the other is not, the secular partner may still choose to honor their partner’s religion by participating in traditions or supporting the individual’s religious needs. Multicultural couples of different languages and ethnicities may attempt to learn each other’s languages and share cultural traditions from their countries.
Avoid stigmatizing statements
Try to avoid disrespecting someone else’s culture by telling them you don’t see the differences or that they shouldn’t practice certain traditions at home. Be open to conversations about stigma and misconceptions, and consider reading books aimed at learning about topics like white privilege, immigration rights, religious differences, and intersectionality. Becoming educated about someone else’s culture may help you understand them on a deeper level and may reduce stigmatizing statements that often come from a lack of understanding.
Consider therapy
Therapy can be a resource for families struggling with miscommunication, stigma, mental health concerns, physical symptoms, or conflict based on their multicultural identities. A therapist can act as a neutral third party to offer support and evidence-based communication techniques.
When seeking mental health treatment, individuals can learn more about their cultures and express their needs to a mental health professional. However, some people may struggle to access in-person therapy due to barriers like finances or distance from providers. In these cases, online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp may be more accessible for those interested in attending therapy on their own or with their partner.
Individuals can sign up by completing a quick questionnaire, which allows them to state their preferences regarding their therapist’s gender, as well as whether they prefer an LGBTQIA+ or BIPOC therapist. This may enable them to connect with a therapist from their culture or identity group.
Studies show that online therapy can be effective. Some individuals may experience symptoms of anxiety and depression related to family conflicts, as well as trauma associated with topics like adoption or abuse. In these cases, some studies suggest that online therapy may be more effective for treating symptoms than in-person therapy.
Takeaway
- Previous Article
- Next Article