Cultural responsiveness for mental health professionals working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients: a concept analysis

ABSTRACT

Objective: An analysis of the literature was conducted to clearly define the meaning of cultural responsiveness as it applies to the work of mental health practitioners who engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients.

Method: This concept analysis utilised Rogers’ (2000) protocol, seeking to understand the key terms defining cultural responsiveness. A search of databases yielded a sample of 13 articles for analysis after screening and quality assessment.

Results: Five major themes emerged, which were considered definitive of cultural responsiveness: Knowledge, Inclusive Relationships, Cultural Respect, Social Justice/ Human Rights, and Self-Reflection.

Conclusion: These themes are presented as core values or components of culturally responsive mental health services with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients. The implications for practitioner professional development and the education of students within mental health disciplines are also discussed.

KEY POINTS

What is already known about this topic:

1. Cultural responsiveness is a fundamental requirement for mental health practitioners working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

2. Cultural responsiveness is a core learning component for students of psychology aspiring to work as mental health practitioners.

3. Cultural responsiveness is not clearly defined within the literature.

What this topic adds:

1. Cultural responsiveness is a recursive dynamic which differs from past linear models.

2. Cultural responsiveness is a more embracing term than previous terms and consists of overlapping features, including knowledge, inclusive relationships, cultural respect, social justice and self-reflection.

3. Cultural responsiveness elicits a personal response from practitioners.

KEYWORDS:

• Australian
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
• cultural competence
• cultural responsiveness
• cultural safety
• indigenous

Acknowledgments

It is acknowledged that the work of this review took place on the traditional lands of the Kamilaroi and Anaiwan nations of northwest New South Wales, Australia, and respects are paid to Elders past, present and emerging.

The first author is supported by a University of New England Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Degree by Research scholarship.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

^1. In April 2021, the New South Wales government purchased back the mining permit, with the resolve to never permit further mining on the black soil plains of the northwest.