title: Components of cultural competence in three mental health programs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to identify components of cultural competence in mental health programs developed for cultural groups by community and mental health professionals from these groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three programs were studied: a prevention program primarily serving African-American and Afro-Caribbean youth, a Latino adult acute inpatient unit, and a Chinese day treatment program in a community-based agency. Nine study-trained field researchers used a semistructured instrument that captures program genealogy, structure, processes, and cultural infusion. Program cultural elements were identified from field notes and from individual and group interviews of consumers and staff (N=104). A research-group consensus process with feedback from program staff was used to group elements by shared characteristics into the program components of cultural competence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Components included communication competencies (with use of colloquialisms and accepted forms of address); staff in culturally acceptable roles; culturally framed trust building (such as pairing youths with mentors), stigma reduction, friendly milieus (such as serving culturally familiar foods and playing music popular with the culture), and services; and peer, family, and community involvement (including use of peer counselors and mentors, hosting parent weekends, and linking clients with senior center and community services).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Incorporating these components into any program in which underserved cultural populations are seen is recommended for improving cultural competence.
authors.affiliation: Statistical Sciences and Epidemiology Division, Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, 140 Old Orangeburg Rd., Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA. siegel@nki.rfmh.org
authors.forename: Carole
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Siegel
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Haugland
authors.forename: Lenora
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Reid-Rose
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hopper
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology; D003142:Communication; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000941:ethics / Q000592:standards*; D054521:Cultural Competency / Q000941:ethics / Q000523:psychology*; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D003631:Day Care, Medical / Q000941:ethics / Q000592:standards; D004995:Ethics, Professional; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology*; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice / Q000941:ethics / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000941:ethics; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000592:standards; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000941:ethics / Q000592:standards; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations / Q000941:ethics; D012931:Social Environment; D055815:Young Adult