Examining culturally based variables associated with ethnicity: Influences on credibility perceptions of empirically supported interventions. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology

Treatment rationales for 2 widely used and empirically supported interventions, cogni-tive therapy (CT) and time-limited dynamic psychotherapy (TLDP), were examined for their perceived credibility among 136 Asian American college students. This study con-ducted a comprehensive analysis of culturally based variables (often assumed to under-lie ethnicity) and their related effects on credibility perceptions. Variables assessed in-cluded cultural identity, self-construals, values, and mental health beliefs. Participants were randomly assigned to read either a CT or TLDP treatment rationale for depression and then rated the credibility of the interventions. Results indicated that cultural iden-tity and self-construals moderated credibility ratings across CT and TLDP rationales. Findings underscore the importance of moving beyond ethnic group analyses to the ex-amination of specific culturally based variables. • cognitive therapy • psychodynamic therapy • Asian Americans • credibility • empiri-cally supported therapies • ethnicit