Ethnic and Cultural Bias in Human Service Essay

One of the most persistent issues in psychiatry is ethnic and cultural bias. The article under the title “Mental health misdiagnosis twice more likely for socially disadvantaged groups” dwells upon this matter. It is noted that the recent research shows that therapists tend to misdiagnose people who have a different social and ethnic background (Mental health misdiagnosis twice more likely for socially disadvantaged groups, 2015).

An Israeli clinical psychologist claims that racial bias often undermines the effectiveness of treatment. Thus, white therapists often diagnose serious psychological disorders in people of color though the same conditions are seen differently if a white client is treated. The researchers state that white therapists often fail to understand problems, fears, interests, conditions of minority groups. In other words, when treating white clients, therapists often put themselves in their places and understand their issues. Ethnic and Cultural Bias in Human Service Essay

This is not the case with people of color. Importantly, the researchers stress that their findings can have particular implications for therapists’ training. They note that the training has to address this issue, and future therapists have to be able to work without any innate bias. This article can be seen as an illustration of one of the guidelines. Obviously, psychologists have to understand that they may be prone to bias when treating clients pertaining to minority groups.

The issue is persistent as it affects the entire field. Therapists are unable to make correct diagnoses and clients are treated inadequately. It has led to the development of distrust to professionals among people of color. Thus, Williams (2011) states that African Americans do not seek professional psychological support as they expect to face the same issues they have in their everyday life (judging, bias, prejudice). Clearly, these people’s mental strain increases, which leads to health issues, problems at work and private life. The research shows that these fears are not groundless as therapists are often biased.