Culturally competent practice: a mixed methods study among students, academics and alumni of clinical psychology master's programs in the Netherlands

Lennie R. C. Geerlings*, Claire L. Thompson, Vivian Kraaij, Ger P. J. Keijsers

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

This is the first research into preparation for multicultural clinical psychology practice in Europe. It applies the theory of multicultural counselling competency (MCC) to a case study in the Netherlands. It was hypothesized that cross-cultural practice experience, identification as a cultural minority, and satisfaction with cultural training was associated with MCC. The Multicultural Awareness Knowledge and Skills Survey was completed by 106 participants (22 students, 10 academics, 74 alumni) from clinical psychology masters' programs. MANOVA detected a main effect of cross-cultural experience on MCC for all groups and universities. The data were enriched with exploratory qualitative data from 14 interviews (5 students, 5 academics, 4 alumni). Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis revealed three themes: limitations of clinical psychology, strategies for culturally competent practice, and strategies for cultural competency development. These outcomes suggest that cultural competency continues to require attention in master's programs. The paper makes recommendations for further research enquiry related to training clinical psychologists to practice in Europe's multicultural societies.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)88-106
Number of pages19
JournalEurope's Journal of Psychology
Volume14
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12 Mar 2018

Keywords

  • cultural competence
  • clinical psychology education
  • Multicultural Awareness
  • Knowledge and Skills Survey (MAKSS)
  • Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA)
  • Netherlands
  • MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING COMPETENCES
  • CONTACT REDUCE PREJUDICE
  • HEALTH-CARE
  • INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
  • INTERGROUP CONTACT
  • HYPOTHESIS
  • DUTCH

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