Working with West Indian Families

This volume is designed to enhance the cultural competence of mental health and educational professionals working with West Indian families. It provides a concise introduction to the historical, sociopolitical, family, and cultural contexts that shape the experiences of this growing immigrant population. Describing typical family structures, roles, and values, the author highlights inter-island differences as well as differences between African Americans and African West Indian Americans. Guidelines for culturally aware assessment, intervention, and training are presented, illustrated with sensitive clinical material. Ideal for practicing professionals, the book also serves as a text in graduate-level courses in multiculturalism, psychological assessment, linguistic assessment, educational assessment, and family therapy.

I. HISTORICAL, EDUCATIONAL, SOCIOPOLITICAL FACTORS. 1. History of the West Indies. 2. Migration. 3. The West Indian Family. 4. Education and Work Values. 5. Racism. 6. Notable Differences among the Islands. 7. Rastafarian/Rastafari Culture. 8. Differences between African Americans and African West Indian Americans. 8. West Indian Families in Britain. 9. West Indian Families in Canada. II. ASSESSMENT ISSUES, MAJOR TREATMENT THEORIES, AND A MODEL FOR INTERVENTION. 11. Assessment--Educational, Linguistic, and Psychological. 12. Counseling with West Indians. 13. Major Treatment Approaches in Counseling the Culturally Different. 14. The Multicultural/Multimodal/Multisystems Approach to the Treatment of West Indian Families. III. IMPLICATIONS. 15. Training Implications for Mental Health Workers, Teachers, Speech Evaluators, and Parents. 16. Implications for Future Research and Clinical Work. Appendix I. Map of the West Indies. Appendix II. West Indian Comprehensive Assessment Battery (WICAN). Appendix III. Immigrant Self-Concept Scale. Appendix IV. Immigrant Attitude Survey. Appendix V. West Indian Attitude Survey. Appendix VI. West Indian Community Services

"In clear, concise language, the author introduces the historical roots of this underserved immigrant group." --"Readings"

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