Welcome to our Psychology and Cultures

APS Interest Group

Our Committee members are:

Nigar Khawaja: Chair

Jasmine Sliger: Secretary

Trisha Carter: Treasurer

Isabel Stepanik: Professional Development Officer

Carine Davey: Newsletter Editor and Student Rep

Bernadette Wright

Leonie Elphinstone

Wendy Li

Letter from the National Convener

Dear Members,

I hope you are well. Our interest group has been very active, since the last newsletter. You must have seen all the emails about our PD events. After Sydney our Brisbane PD events have been very successful. I am impressed by the psychologists’ enthusiasm to advance their cultural competency skills and knowledge. Our Interest group was also very active at the 2nd Australasian Refugee Health Conference organized recently in Perth. Trisha Carter and I offered two workshops and various committee members presented papers. Bernadette Wright played a key role in organizing this conference. Committee has also been helping APS with the evaluation of the grant applications and ethical guidelines. It is also election and the AGM time. This year we will hold the election and AGM with the “end of the year” event organized in Sydney (“Acculturation Issues and Racist Attitudes and their Impact on Clients” on 27 November, 2013) by the Sydney team. Members residing in Sydney should make use of this event. You have already been emailed the nomination form. Please think about nominating yourself for the national committee. It is an excellent way of linking with APS and other colleagues. My term as a national convener will be ending this year. I thoroughly enjoyed my 4 years in this role. Hopefully, there will be a new person to

2  

lead the committee. It was a pleasure to be on this committee. I am very thankful to the committee members for their support and hard work. We have come a long way and I feel that our group is quite established now and is heading in the right direction. This is going to be my last letter to you as the national convener. I will still be involved with the Psychology and Cultures Interest Group; however, will be focusing more on other tasks. Enjoy your well-deserved end of the year break. Take Care, Nigar G. Khawaja. X In the News The Leader online published an article on August 9th, 2013 about Isabel Stepanik’s book titled “Welcome to Paradise”. The article “Prison Psychologist Writing True to her Convictions” can be accessed by this link: http://www.theleader.com.au/story/1690032/prison-psychologist-writing-true-to-her-convictions/

3  

Conference Review The 4th WA TRANSCULTURAL MENTAL HEALTH & 2nd Australasian REFUGEE HEALTH CONFERENCE 2013 was recently held in Perth. One of the Interest Group Committee members Bernadette Wright was on the organizing committee and a number of us presented workshops and research papers. In the welcoming and opening speech we were reminded: Mental health is everybody's business no matter what language you speak or where you have come from and the challenge for mental health practitioners is to deliver their services in a culturally intelligent way. The opening keynote by Professor Fred Bemak titled; Critical dimensions in Transforming and Understanding Responsive Transcultural Mental Health. http://cehd.gmu.edu/people/faculty/fbemak/ followed up on that challenge. Professor Bemak spoke about delivering mental health services in other countries or with other cultures where we may be dealing with people with different cultural value dimensions. He challenged practitioners to consider their practices from the perspective of their clients who may not share Western values. He asked - are our therapies, strategies and practice management standards universal? He touched on the Individualism / Collectivism dimension and pointed out that Western medical responses focus on the individual but in a collective society family, and often extended family, is critical to the recovery of the individual. He suggested we focus on the group, family and community not just the single client or patient and pointed out that at times that may mean having family members in the treatment alongside the client. This has an impact on the physical capacity of the area we work in as well as our own capacity to focus on one in relationship with many. Fred reminded us that the concept of internal locus of control is a western concept and many of our clients are not working from this perspective. Therefore they may not see themselves as having as much agency and control as we who are from Western backgrounds. While we encourage them to take control or change behaviours, their values and beliefs may not support those concepts. He pointed out that credibility can be both ascribed & achieved and suggested we never count on ascribed credibility as shown through qualifications, instead relationships or what you do and how you are in person may be more powerful.

4  

Perspectives on time mean some cultures have less orientation towards time management, diarizing and punctuality. Fred spoke of one clinic that had replaced specific times for appointments with morning sessions or afternoon sessions. Independence is another Western concept and judgments are made about what is “normal” based on Western standards – Professor Bemak asked, “Why don't we have independent syndrome”? He pointed out that our code of ethics is also drawn from a Western way of thinking and draws specific boundaries in our relationships with clients but he suggested that we might experience a clash between our ethical code and the level of involvement needed to build connection and relationship in more collective cultures. In many cultures, Fred suggested, we will enhance the connection / relationship by attending family events such as weddings and funerals. He also raised the question of appropriate self-disclosure, gift giving and touching and challenged us to build ethical standards that allow us to work in societies where these aspects are a central part of the culture. In our processes Fred suggested we may need to increase our tolerance for ambiguity and in many situations learn to sit with the chaos we encounter and talk with people where we find them. Therapy happens in different places and in different ways. He reminded us that our Western cause and effect thinking may not be universal instead our clients may have more circular ways of thinking which will be expressed in what may seem as unfocused narrative. We need to learn to sit with different styles of expression including silence. The silence may express many things –resistance, anger, or respect. Don’t assume a meaning. Learn to sit comfortably with silence. Religious and spiritual beliefs will often be the first reference point for clients suffering from mental health problems –indeed mental health interventions are often the last intervention of choice for the client group we are dealing with and we may need to recognize use of folk or supernatural explanations for events. Existential issues are often more important - who am I in the world? How did I get here? In Fred’s words “this is not MacDonald’s therapy –there is no fast lane”. We were challenged to recognize the influence of social, political & historical perspectives – what Fred refers to as “Political counter transference” where injustice and trauma have existed through historical and political decisions and impact on our clients’ mental health. He further challenged us to recognize that, while we may think of human rights and

5  

social justice as outside our responsibility, as practitioners if we are silent we are part of the problem. These are just some of the challenges that the opening keynote provided and it was a great springboard for the discussions that followed. I delivered a workshop on ‘Increasing Your Cultural Intelligence’ and found people eager to discuss the cultural value dimensions further and how they impact on their practice as well as their clients’ acculturation experiences. I was inspired by a quote Fred shared in his conclusion; “A Senegalese poet said ‘in the end we will conserve only what we love. We love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught.’ We must learn about other cultures in order to understand, in order to love, and in order to preserve our common world heritage.” —Yo Yo Ma, White House Conference on Culture and Diplomacy Resources presented at the Conference www.italklibrary.com One of the amazing resources presented at the conference is the brainchild of Christopher Brocklebank whose background in theatre has helped him to develop a multi-lingual on-line resource. It uses pictures and stories to communicate information to people from varied linguistic backgrounds and/or low levels of literacy. The visual pictures are accompanied by spoken stories and address issues including depression, gambling, and dementia. Some have translations provided into a range of languages but all have the facility for you to orally record any of the stories into your own language through downloading the italk software and recording your own audio. Christopher was an inspiring presenter as he shared the importance of stories for bringing about change and how he has developed the mechanism to enable your clients to hear the stories in their languages. Visit the website or talk to Christopher to learn more about the resource Christopher Brocklebank christopher@italklibrary.com Phone: 0408 899 121 http://www.mhima.org.au If you haven’t heard of it yet head over to the Mental Health in Multicultural Australia website for latest research updates

6  

http://www.mhima.org.au/knowledge-exchange/literature-snap-shot for translated mental health information http://www.mhima.org.au/resources-and-information/Translated-information/translated-mental-health-information-resources For events (including webinars) http://www.mhima.org.au/events as well as many other resources – sign up for the newsletter to keep in touch with the future opportunities, news and further knowledge exchange. Please feel free to contact me to discuss any aspect of the conference report. Trisha Carter trisha@cicollective.com Organisational and Cross Cultural Psychologist Treasurer Psychology and Cultures Interest Group

Bernadette Wright, Nigar Khawaja, Trisha Carter and Wendy Li

7  

The Ancient Cultures of the Andes:

Chile & Peru 21 days, August/September 2014

Led By Isabel Stepanik & Rosemary Stevenson

Any tour to Peru would have to include Machu Picchu, that most mystical of sites. However Peru has so much more to offer - its history, both pre-Columbian and Colonial; the natural environment from coastal deserts, across the magnificent Andean mountains and the high alti-plano to the virgin rain forests of the Amazon basin. Its archaeological sites range from those of pre-Incan cultures through to the majesty of the Inca as well as the Colonial architecture. The diversity of the country has led to the development of different cultures with influences from Spain and Africa as well as the traditional people who still live simple lives in villages in the Andes. All these differing aspects add to the colour and vibrancy of Peru. Highlights:

• Santiago, the capital of Chile; • Valparaiso and the former home of Pablo Neruda; • Northern Peru – Chan Chan, Trujillo and the Lords of Sipan • Lima, the oldest Colonial city in South America • Arequipa – the ‘White City’ • Puno & Lake Titicaca • Colonial Cusco • The spectacular Sacred Valley of the Inca • Enigmatic Machu Picchu

Itinerary 24 August Depart from Sydney and arrive to Santiago late morning. After negotiating Immigration and Customs, we will transfer to our hotel in the city centre. There will be an optional walking tour during the late afternoon. Overnight: Santiago (meals in flight) 25 August Day tour to the World Heritage Listed city of Valparaiso. We will do a walking tour of the historic centre before having lunch with a chance to sample the region’s famous seafood. We will also visit the home of Pablo Neruda before returning to Santiago. PD: Tour briefing and welcome to South America. Overnight: Santiago (B, L)

8  

26 August Late morning transfer to the airport for our flight to Lima. Mid-afternoon arrival and transfer to our hotel in Miraflores.

We will have a welcome dinner at the Rosa Nautica restaurant, situated on a pier over the Pacific Ocean. Overnight: Lima (B, D) 27 August Late morning visit to the Pucllana pyramid with lunch at the on-site restaurant. Afternoon city tour to visit the Plaza de Armas, Cathedral & San Francisco Monastery. Overnight: Lima (B, L) 28 August Afternoon visit to Larco Hoyle Museum. PD: Morning visit to university. In the evening we will go to a folkloric dance show and dinner. Overnight: Lima (B, D) 29 August Transfer to the airport for our flight to Chiclayo. We will met by our bus and transfer to our hotel in Chiclayo. PD: Presentation. Overnight: Chiclayo (B) 30 August During the morning we will visit the Museum of the Lords of Sipan. It is here that the tombs from the Moche culture were discovered less than 30 years ago containing the remains of the Lord of Sipan and the Old Lord of Sipan, dating from the first century AD. The world was amazed at the wealth, treasure, craftsmanship and variety of artefacts found at these sites. The restored treasure trove, unparalleled since Tutankhamen, is on display at an excellent museum. During the afternoon we will the site where the treasures were found. Overnight: Chiclayo (B, D) 31 August Drive south to Trujillo, stopping en route for lunch at the coastal village of Huanchaco. Here the fishermen still use a traditional boat made of reeds nicknamed ‘caballitos’ – little horses.

9  

Trujillo is a pretty colonial city and is also known for the caballos de paso (pacing horses) and performances of the marinera – a typical coastal Peruvian dance. Overnight: Trujillo (B, L) 1 September Morning tour of the Moche pyramids of the Sun and Moon, as well as to see a private archaeological collection of beautiful ceramics of the Cassinelli Collection housed in the basement of a petrol station. During the afternoon we will see a display featuring the Peruvian paso horses. PD: Presentation. Overnight: Trujillo (B, D) 2 September Morning transfer to the airport for our flights back to Lima and with onward connections on to Arequipa. Transfer directly to our hotel. Optional evening tour into the city centre. Overnight: Arequipa (B) 3 September In the morning we will visit the Santa Catalina Monastery founded in the 16th Century. The monastery is a small walled town covering a city block and we will be able to see how the nuns lived then. Nuns are still living there today. After lunch we will visit Juanita, the ice maiden, an Incan child sacrificial victim, whose remains were discovered after a volcanic eruption. We will have some free time to explore the city centre (and shop) during the late afternoon. Overnight: Arequipa (B, L) 4 September Morning departure for our bus ride to the Colca Canyon (5 hours). This is arguably the world’s deepest canyon but that depends how you measure its depth! As you can imagine, the scenery is spectacular and the drive there will pass the volcano of El Misti. With luck we may see some condors, the largest flying birds in the world.

10  

Our hotel has its own hot springs – you will have a chance to relax in the springs prior to dinner. PD: Evening group discussion. Overnight: Chivay (B, D) 5 September Very early morning departure to continue our tour of the Colca Canyon. We will visit the look-out point where we hope to see condors as they ride the thermal currents. We will have lunch in Chivay and then drive on to Puno (5 hours). Overnight: Puno (B, L) 6 September Morning tour to the Uros Islands on Lake Titicaca. Free time in the afternoon. PD: Presentation Overnight: Puno (B) 7 September Early departure by bus for our drive to Cusco. We will stop at La Raya, the highest point (>4,000m ASL) of our trip. We will also stop at Raqchi, an Inca trading post. Overnight: Cusco (B, L) 8 September Morning tour of the Inca Sun Temple – Coricancha – followed by a visit to the Cathedral. You will have a few hours free for lunch or to explore this fascinating city. Afternoon tour of Sacsayhuaman and Qenko, two Inca sites located above the city of Cusco. PD: Presentation. Overnight: Cusco (B) 9 September Driving out of Cusco early in the morning, we will visit some local markets and see where the locals shop. We will then drive on to Andahuaylillas and visit the beautiful church there – known as the ‘Cistine Chapel of the Andes’. We will have lunch in a rural restaurant where a shaman will perform a ceremony to bless the tour. We will visit a health clinic in Cusco on our way back to the hotel. We have visited this centre several times and have raised funds to build a dividing wall and provide a flat screen television for the patients. Overnight: Cusco (B, L)

11  

10 September Today we will visit the Sacred Valley of the Inca. Our first stop will be the market town of Pisac and the Inca town of Ollantaytambo. Evening train to Aguas Calientes. PD: We will have an early dinner at a café that is run by an NGO which supports local health initiatives. One of the NGO directors will give us a talk on their work and the problems that confront them. Overnight: Aguas Calientes (B, D) 11 September Very early departure for the final drive to Machu Picchu. We will arrive prior to the crowds of the first trains and spend several hours wandering through this mysterious citadel. Afternoon train to return to Cusco. Overnight: Cusco (B) 12 September Day free in Cusco. Our guides will be able to help with advice regarding museums to visit or markets for shopping. PD: Tour debrief and farewell dinner. Overnight: Cusco (B, D) 13 September Return flight to Lima to connect with homeward flights. Flying directly from Lima and then back to Santiago for flights homeward or on to Rio de Janeiro for the optional tour extension. Optional Extension Tour 13 September Travelling with the rest of the group, those taking the extension tour will transit Santiago and take a flight to Rio de Janeiro. We will be met on arrival and transfer directly to our hotel which is located near the famous Copacabana Beach. Overnight: Rio de Janeiro (meals in flight, D) 14 September Full day tour of the Sugarloaf and Corcovado for some of best views of the city. Overnight: Rio Janeiro (B, L)

12  

15 September Free day. Spend some time shopping or relaxing on the beach. Overnight: Rio de Janeiro (B) 16 September Full day tour of Petropolis - the Imperial City of Brazil. We will visit several of the landmarks including the Imperial Museum, the Cathedral and the Grand Para Palace. Overnight: Rio de Janeiro (B, L) 17 September Late morning departure for the drive north to Buzios, a coastal village with cobblestone streets and beautiful beaches. Overnight: Buzios (B, D) 18 September Explore the area on foot to visit the beaches, people watch from the board-walk or walk to one of the lookouts high above the town. Overnight: Buzios (B) 19 September Morning departure to return to Rio de Janeiro. Afternoon tour to the castle of Ilha Fiscal and the Sao Bento Monastery. Farewell BBQ dinner and Samba dance show in the evening. Overnight: Rio de Janeiro (B, D) 20 September Tour ends. Morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Santiago and on to Sydney.

* * *

Cost: Chile/Peru Tour $5775.00 (based on twin share) Brazil Extension $2175.00 (based on twin share)

Currency fluctuations above 3% will affect the final fare (based on 0.86USD). This price is based on a minimum of 18 people attending (max. 24).

13  

Inclusions: Tour leader and English speaking guides for the duration of the tour; Accommodation (twin-share) in 3-4 star hotels with private facilities.

Single supplement available on request (additional $1050.00/$760.00);

All breakfasts, seven lunches, seven dinners as noted, drinking water on coaches;

Internal flights - Lima/Chiclayo/Arequipa, Cusco/Lima Land transport on private, chartered coaches; Comprehensive tour booklet; Entries to sites listed in itinerary; Group tips (bus drivers, local guides).

Exclusions:

International Airfares (Australia/Lima/Australia; Santiago/Rio de Janeiro)

o We can arrange all flights; Travel insurance (compulsory – policy details to be provided prior to

departure); o We can arrange travel insurance;

Laundry and telephone; Individual tips (for exceptional or individual services beyond that

covered by the group tip).

Reservation and bookings To secure a booking, forward a deposit of $500.00 per person to Travelmakers together with your full name (as it appears on your passport), passport number, country of issue and expiry date). Please also indicate whether you require a single room and/or have any dietary requirements. This tour is conducted in some areas that may be hot in some areas and cold in the highlands. Many of the sites require walking over uneven ground or climbing steep and rough stairs. If you have any concerns about your fitness or ability to participate in this tour, particularly anything which may hold up the group, please contact the operator to discuss the physical demands of the tour.

14  

Balance of international airfares (if required) must be paid within two weeks of booking to ensure fares do not increase. Payments via credit cards will attract a transaction fee (Visa 1.5%, Diners or Amex 3%). Balance of payment for land content is required 60 days prior to departure Cancellation and refunds Flight cancellation refunds subject to airline policy. Cancellation received more than 3 months before departure – $100 per person; Cancellation received less than 2 months prior to departure - $400.00 per person; Cancellation received less than 1 month prior to departure - 25% of fare. Cancellation received less than 2 weeks prior to departure – 75% of fare. Cancellation received less than 1 week prior to departure – full fare. Travel insurance should be taken out as time of payment to cover cancellation fees due to unforeseen circumstances (check insurance policy re cancellations). Further information Contact: For bookings and flights: Jos Milton or Phil Dalley at Travelmakers on 02 62474444 General tour queries: Chris Carter on 0412001586 or email info@ruins.com.au

15  

A Strength-Based Approach to Working with Refugees in Australia: Looking at Resilience and Posttraumatic Growth

Wendy Li, Laura Cooling, Daniel Miller Department of Psychology James Cook University, Australia Research indicates that in terms of mental health refugees are an at risk group, experiencing mental health problems to a greater degree than the general population. Posttraumatic stress disorder, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, somatisation disorders, brief reaction psychoses and adjustment reactions disorders are all commonly observed among people of refugee backgrounds. This is perhaps unsurprising given the stress, trauma and adversity so often associated with being a refugee. While most of the research into refugee mental health and clinical practices take a deficit-based approach, focusing on mental disorders and impairment, this study takes a strength-based approach, examining the connection between refugee’s experiences and positive aspects of mental health. The positive aspects of mental health that will be focused on in this study are resilience and posttraumatic growth. Resilience is characterised by good mental health outcomes despite serious stresses and threats to adaption and development. Those high in resilience are able to recover and improve in mental health following challenges. In this way resilience can be seen as one of the foundational elements of good mental health. Posttraumatic growth (PTG) refers to not just returning to normal functioning following a trauma but improving in functioning following a trauma. This kind of growth can be extremely profound for those experiencing it. This study builds on this research, examining levels of resilience and posttraumatic growth among 70 people of refugee background living in regional northern Australia. The prevalence of mental health issues was found to be very high among the sample. No significant correlations were found between resilience scores and measures of depression, anxiety and PTSD in this study. Reasons as to why this may be the case are given. It was however found that high resilience coupled with high levels of mental distress was associated with higher PTG scores.

16  

Li, Wendy Wen (2013) Shifting Selves in Migration: home, ageing in place and well-being. Central Compilation & Translation Press, Beijing, China. The proportion of those in older age groups continues to increase among the world’s population. Because ageing is universal and inevitable, it is tempting for some of us to assume that experiences of “older age” are the same for everyone. This book takes the stance that while many aspects of older age are shared, issues of culture, social class, place and ethnicity clearly shape our experiences and situations in life. People can age differently. This is particularly the case for those who migrate in later life from one cultural context to another. This research is one of the first explorations of Chinese immigrant ageing in place, which also considers changing enactments of filial piety. The research is informed by a hybrid narrative approach that draws on episodic, go-along and fangtan interview techniques. The book shifts away from the focus in existing literature on how older Chinese immigrants are passively transformed into minority subjects to how they are transforming themselves through migration and their efforts to age well in New Zealand. This book offers new ways of understanding the dynamics of ageing in little-known Chinese migrant communities in contemporary, Western societies. Using an innovative, indigenous approach to narrative interviewing, the author provides a compelling case study of ageing and home-making experiences of older Chinese people who have migrated to New Zealand in their later lives. The study highlights positive ways in which older Chinese immigrants age, adapt cultural practices and transform their selves and identities.

17  

Assessment of Cross-Cultural Competence: possible tools By Leonie Elphinstone: Psychologist & Cultural Diversity Trainer & National committee member of the Psychology & Cultures Interest Group Many psychologists and others in related disciplines working in the area on intercultural interactions and relationships have been concerned about ways to assess and measure cross-cultural competence. To date there have been a variety of tools available but little research which demonstrates and compares their effectiveness. David Matsumoto, a well known psychologist specialising in the intercultural area, together with Hyisung C. Hwang have published an article which reports on a thorough research review of the validity and reliability of 10 tests which have been designed to assess cross-cultural competence (Matsumoto & Hwang, 2013). They refer to cross-cultural competency (3C) and examine each test giving descriptions and also comparative data eventually identifying three (3) tests which they consider based on their research to be the most effective from a reliability and validity perspective. The three (3) identified tests are the;

• CQ : Cultural Intelligence Scale • MPQ : Multicultural Personality Inventory and the • ICAPS : Intercultural Adjustment Potential Scale

They suggest that each of these tests “have demonstrated that they can predict cross-cultural outcomes over and above standard personality and intelligence…...and outcomes above and beyond emotional intelligence and skills” (Matsumoto et. al, 2013: 868). The article provides an excellent review of the area as well as invaluable background on each of these and other assessment tools. Reference Matsumoto, D. & Hwang, Hyisung C. (2013). Assessing Cross-Cultural Competence: A review of Available tests. Journal of Cross-cultural Psychology, Vol: 44.p.848-873 If you are interested in further information, two of the committee members of the Psychology & Cultures Interest group are accredited to administer the CQ (Cultural Intelligence Scale) and it is anticipated that the Committee will be conducting some workshops in this area in 2014.

18  

SUPERVISION By Jasmine Sliger When we look at supervision, we can see interpersonal characteristics that are a common denominator among all supervisors. These are warmth, acceptance, understanding, respect, support and empathy. This is whether the supervisor takes the primary role of mentor, expert, consultant or teacher. It is important when supervising clinical psychologists working overseas that the supervisor must be able to make an accurate assessment of where the supervisee is in their professional career at the time. Sometimes I find colleagues who are supervisors that are somewhat rigid and who apply similar techniques to all experience levels of psychologists and do not attend to where the psychologist is at a given time. The supervisor and supervisee relationship that works well allows for collegiate exploration that can lead to new insights by the psychologist. It is not unusual for these relationships to continue long past the supervisory experience. I have maintained many a relationship with psychologists who have worked and continue to work overseas. In one case, the psychologist visits, writes and continues to Skype me. We have both agreed that it has been a rewarding relationship. These are the kind of experiences that are most rewarding to senior psychologists.