Cultural Influences on Trauma
Culture is defined by Merriam-Webster’s dictionary as “the characteristic features of everyday existence shared by people in a place or time; the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices.”1 Cultures are a means for sharing knowledge and skills of a community or population. Cultural influences determine how traumatic events are interpreted. These influences shape responses to a traumatic event; however reactions to trauma are common throughout all cultures. Psychological symptoms of trauma may manifest differently depending on the adolescent’s culture. Cultural influences can contribute to the adolescent’s resilience and ability to cope or may cause stigmatization and judgment of the adolescent. Therefore, it is important for individuals working with trauma victims to educate themselves on the populations they serve; learning about the different cultural traditions, routines, and family dynamics. These individuals should be aware of any cultural biases that they may have and try to be non-judgmental when working with adolescents from other cultures.2 << PreviousNext >> |
