Evaluating the Impact of Cultural Competency Trainings from the Perspective of People in Recovery

Abstract

Many behavioral health providers are now being trained in cultural competence but still little is known about the impact of these trainings on persons-in-recovery. This study reports on the evaluation of a state wide cultural competency (CC) training for behavioral health providers. A sample of persons-in-recovery receiving services from trainees were asked how important cultural factors were in their treatment and rehabilitation and to what extent their providers were culturally competent. Most persons-in-recovery reported that their providers were culturally competent, but the majority did not prioritize cultural factors in their treatment. The article discusses the complex relationship between culture and satisfaction with services and the need to explore further the person-in-recovery understanding of culture in the context of their mental health.

Keywords:

• Consumer satisfaction
• Cultural competence
• Evaluation research
• Mental health services

Authors acknowledge that support for this article was provided by a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Notes

¹This article uses the term “diverse” in relation to race, ethnicity, and culture, as opposed to “minority.” The training approach evaluated by the study incorporates the belief that the assignment of a person to a majority or minority group does not reveal the information needed to make services culturally competent. It also implies there are only two groups of people. The term diversity represents the presence of many differences.