Ethnic tradition: a source of emotional well-being or a cause of emotional pain?

Abstract

This paper considers the dilemmas and questions raised in cross-cultural work when it is supposed that patients have been damaged by their culture of origin. First, the legitimacy of such a formulation is tested. Following this the paper critically examines the relation of culture to psyche from two individualistic vantage points —; the psychoanalytic and the humanistic. These viewpoints are critiqued from the perspective of a radical group-analytic viewpoint. This discussion is used to throw light on three types of psychological conflict, and this in turn is used to problematize the nature—;nurture divide. Finally, it is argued that the power relations within social structures have to be taken into account when trying to comprehend the psychological consequences of the impact of cultures on the individual's state of mind.

Keywords:

• Race Ethnicity Culture Psychotherapy Counselling Group Power