Social workers need to be able to identify cultural conceptions of illness and mental illness. Because studies
show that anxiety and depression differ from culture to culture and within cultures, it is important to build skill
using the Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI) to elicit how an individual has actually incorporated their cultural
beliefs. While the core interview is a set of 16 questions, more detailed versions expand on each area. In this
Assignment, you sensitively apply the CFI to your case collaboration partner as well as research how to
address and individualize anxiety resources for your partner’s culture and needs.CFI is located on page 749 of
the DSM-5.
Using the Diaz article as well as additional resources about culture, in which you do the
following:
Describe the skills or techniques you used to engage your partner during the CFI.
Explain which aspects of the CFI were the most helpful in learning about your partner’s personal view of the
problem and situation from a cultural perspective.
Describe the cultural components (e.g., race/ethnicity, religion, geographic region, socio-economic status, etc.)
that may influence your partner, and analyze how those cultural components influence their mental health
experience.
Identify which relevant subsections of the CFI you used. Explain why you did (or did not) use a subsection as
part of your assessment.
Analyze how you, as a social work treatment provider, might adjust interventions for the client (your partner),
their individualized circumstances, and culture of origin. Be specific and demonstrate critical thought through
application of concepts in resources.
Recommend a specific evidence-based measurement instrument to validate the diagnosis and assess
outcomes of treatment. Explain any cultural considerations you made when determining an appropriate
instrument, including whether or not the instrument was validated with diverse populations.
Sample Solution