A descriptive study of multicultural factors and client attitudes toward misdiagnosis and social work treatment, 1999

This study examined the problems and ethical standards in Multicultural counseling which impacted the misdiagnosis and pre-termination of clients in the mental health setting. The study was based on the premise that cultural awareness and sensitivity are linked to consumers completing the contract for treatment and being diagnosed correctly. Six independent variables were considered, and six dependent variables were identified. Data were gathered from thirty consumers enrolled in a mental health center, which is part of the DeKalb Community Service Board. A questionnaire and an analysis grid were developed. The researcher found that counselors at the Mental Health Center are not culturally aware, and did not spend enough time getting to know their clients and their behavior patterns. The conclusions drawn from the findings suggest that counselors should be trained on issues of ethics and cultural awareness. The results of this study clearly identified cultural factors that related to premature termination and misdiagnosis