A cultural exchange: assertive communication training in Bangkok

Abstract

Assertiveness is a well-recognised approach in western psychology for enhancing individuals' self-efficacy. However, few studies explore how assertiveness can be adapted for people from a collective-oriented culture. This paper outlines a pilot study to provide culturally competent training for assertive communication to consumers, carers and mental health professionals in Bangkok, Thailand. The training was conducted in English, with simultaneous translation into Thai; over 3 days with 30 participants (mean age of 44.6 years). The trainer embraced a recovery framework and shared her own lived experience when appropriate. Key topics covered were the essence of assertive communication, practising self-care and saying ‘no’ without feeling guilty. By engaging participants in role-plays, small and large group discussions made the training interactive and more applicable to the local context. Workshop evaluations were collected after completion of the training. Participants noted the primary benefits of acquiring new knowledge, managing emotions, achieving personal growth, and the applicability of the course content to daily life immediately following the training. At a six-month post-training workshop, participants noted the primary benefits of improved self-confidence, feeling happier and more contented, reduced guilt and increased self-esteem. Limitations of the training format are also discussed. The training was well received and the process represented an invaluable cultural exchange between trainer and trainees. Carer and health professional participants learned new strategies to set boundaries and to help those they cared for to set realistic goals and regain their self-esteem. Consumer participants learned about self-assertiveness as a means of articulating their feelings and needs. Assertive communication can be adapted for people from Asian and collectively oriented backgrounds.

Keywords::

• assertive communication
• peer trainer
• Asian culture

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their gratitude to the participants of the Assertiveness Communication Training at Thai Familylink in Bangkok, and all the staff, translators and volunteers who had worked hard to make this workshop a great experience for everyone.

Notes

^1. Different terminologies, including peer workers, peer consultants, peer counsellors and peer specialists, are used by different organisations or different countries.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Bibiana Chan

Bibiana Chan completed her PhD. at the School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Australia, in 2007. She worked at the Black Dog Institute for 5 years and then as a Research Fellow at the Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity. She was awarded a grant to conduct ‘Assertive Communication Programs’ to help migrants manage their acculturation stress in 2009 and a Churchill Fellowship in 2010. Her research interests are medical anthropology, chronic disease management, mental health promotion and cultural competency.

Michael Rowe

Michael Rowe, PhD, is Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine and Co-Director of the Program for Recovery and Community Health. His areas of research include citizenship as a framework for the social inclusion of people with mental health issues, homelessness, peers as service providers, and community-based participatory research. He is the author of 6 books including the forthcoming Citizenship and Mental Health and over 150 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters and other publications.