The West Indian Family: Treatment Challenges

Abstract

The authors discuss the culture-specific problems faced by West Indian immigrants who received treatment at the East Brooklyn Prevention Program. The characteristics, patterns, and functioning of this population must be identified before effective treatment can occur.

Social Work with West Indian Families

“…The West Indian family structure is multi-generational consisting of the nuclear family, grandparents, aunts and uncles (Thrasher and Anderson, 1988;McNicol, 1993). There is also data suggesting that the large number of female-headed households mirrors those prevailing in the Caribbean.…”

“…A review of the literature reveals that this population faces a series of stress-producing events that often results in the need for social work services. Intervention may be necessary due to problems in the parent/child relationship, family role changes, and employment and education-related difficulties (Mahoney, 2002;Thrasher and Anderson, 1988;McNicol, 1993;Sowell-Coker et al, 1985). The literature also reveals that this population has low service utilization rates.…”

“…The literature also reveals that this population has low service utilization rates. These low rates have been attributed to cultural insensitivity among service providers in understanding their values and life-styles, lack of knowledge and experience in using services, and reluctance to receive assistance outside of the family (Thrasher and Anderson, 1988;McNicol, 1993;Sowell-Coker et al, 1985;Mathews, 1994;Smith and Mason, 1995).…”

“…Most families who come in contact with social workers and other human service providers do so through referrals by school personnel and child protective services as a result of suspected child abuse or neglect (Thrasher and Anderson, 1988;McNicol, 1993). For those who are self-referred, school-related problems are identified as the primary source of conflict and the identified client is usually a child (Sowell-Coker et al, 1985;McNicol, 1993;Thrasher and Anderson, 1988).…”

“…For those who are self-referred, school-related problems are identified as the primary source of conflict and the identified client is usually a child (Sowell-Coker et al, 1985;McNicol, 1993;Thrasher and Anderson, 1988). This paper discusses various aspects of the psychosocial and cultural experience of West Indian immigrant families in the United States and the impact on their social functioning.…”