In the RESPECT toolkit we focus on key interrelated cultural and contextual factors that influence client’s beliefs and experiences with mental health and treatment.

 

Prior research and feedback from clinicians and families have highlighted several cultural and contextual factors that are particularly relevant for any mental health treatment. Cultural factors include beliefs, values, and family norms related to shared aspects of identity. Context refers to the environment, systems, and structures in which youth live.  Remember: everyone has a culture and life context. Much of the below information is general and can be applied to any youth seeking mental health support and is especially important to attend to for youth with minoritized identities.

 

Note: Strategies to assess, conceptualize, and address these factors are provided in other sections of this toolkit. 

 

We organize and describe common cultural and contextual factors that can impact youth anxiety and OCD treatment within six different levels of context, utilizing the health equity implementation framework. These are salient factors discussed in interviews with clinicians, clients and caregivers and are incorporated throughout the guidelines in this toolkit. 

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Click on the levels within the diagram below to view each cultural and contextual factor.