1. Re-ExaminingRe-Examining
Social & Cultural FactorsSocial & Cultural Factors
for Maladaptive Youthfor Maladaptive Youth
Alton C. Strange, Ph.D.Alton C. Strange, Ph.D.
Lutheran Child & Family ServicesLutheran Child & Family Services
Lutherwood AcademyLutherwood Academy

2. PremisePremise
 Current therapeutic practices for MaladaptiveCurrent therapeutic practices for Maladaptive
Youth fail to take into consideration many of theYouth fail to take into consideration many of the
lesser cultural and social influences that maylesser cultural and social influences that may
continue to perpetuate maladaptive behaviorcontinue to perpetuate maladaptive behavior
 Influences such as music, games, clothing, etcInfluences such as music, games, clothing, etc
are not viewed as important to the therapeuticare not viewed as important to the therapeutic
process and are absent in a majority ofprocess and are absent in a majority of
therapeutic and behavior planstherapeutic and behavior plans

3. Current Therapeutic Practices forCurrent Therapeutic Practices for
MY Clients Focuses on:MY Clients Focuses on:
 The Offense and BehaviorThe Offense and Behavior
 Stabilization of the BehaviorStabilization of the Behavior
 Safety to CommunitySafety to Community
 It does NOT focus on:It does NOT focus on:
 Social and Cultural factors that maySocial and Cultural factors that may
perpetuate the behaviorperpetuate the behavior

4. Current Therapeutic PracticesCurrent Therapeutic Practices
 Ignore or overlook how social & culturalIgnore or overlook how social & cultural
influences impact the decision making of MYinfluences impact the decision making of MY
clientsclients
 Ignore or overlook how social & culturalIgnore or overlook how social & cultural
influences shape the behaviors of MY clientsinfluences shape the behaviors of MY clients
 Therefore, therapists may not in introduceTherefore, therapists may not in introduce
alternatives to combat social & culturalalternatives to combat social & cultural
influences of MY clients in individual or groupinfluences of MY clients in individual or group
sessionssessions

5. What Is Absent inWhat Is Absent in
Current Therapeutic Practices?Current Therapeutic Practices?
 Consideration of influences that lie withinConsideration of influences that lie within
social and cultural factorssocial and cultural factors
 Identity that is influenced by :Identity that is influenced by :
 Sports & EntertainmentSports & Entertainment
 Marketing that Targets YouthMarketing that Targets Youth
 ““Institutional” MentalityInstitutional” Mentality
 Discussions with Clients & Families aboutDiscussions with Clients & Families about
social and cultural factors that influencesocial and cultural factors that influence
maladaptive youth identitymaladaptive youth identity

6. What Should be Considered?What Should be Considered?
 Discussions with MY clients about theirDiscussions with MY clients about their
social interestsocial interest
 Favorite Entertainers & Sports PlayerFavorite Entertainers & Sports Player
 Characteristics that make him/her appealing?Characteristics that make him/her appealing?
 Do they identify with the entertainer's or sportsDo they identify with the entertainer's or sports
player’s lifestyle?player’s lifestyle?
 Do they want to live that lifestyle?Do they want to live that lifestyle?

7. What Should be Considered?What Should be Considered?
 Discussions with MY clients about:Discussions with MY clients about:
 MusicMusic
 What type of music do they like?What type of music do they like?
 What is their favorite CD(s)?What is their favorite CD(s)?
 What are their favorite songs/rhymes?What are their favorite songs/rhymes?
 What about the lyrics makes the music appealing?What about the lyrics makes the music appealing?
 How do they feel when listening to their favoriteHow do they feel when listening to their favorite
songs or CD(s)?songs or CD(s)?
 Who/What influences their musical choices?Who/What influences their musical choices?

8. What Should be Considered?What Should be Considered?
 Discussions with MY clients about:Discussions with MY clients about:
 Clothing & SneakersClothing & Sneakers
 What is their favorite brand/designers?What is their favorite brand/designers?
 Why is this brand(s) their favorite?Why is this brand(s) their favorite?
 Because their peers like them?Because their peers like them?
 Because their favorite player or entertainer wear them?Because their favorite player or entertainer wear them?
 Because they like the commercials?Because they like the commercials?

9. Questions to ConsiderQuestions to Consider
 How can therapist become knowledgeableHow can therapist become knowledgeable
or stay up to date on cultural influences?or stay up to date on cultural influences?
 How can therapist discuss social & culturalHow can therapist discuss social & cultural
influences with clients without:influences with clients without:
 Sounding JudgmentalSounding Judgmental
 Being viewed as fake or “trying to be down”Being viewed as fake or “trying to be down”

10. Questions to ConsiderQuestions to Consider
 How can therapist have meaningfulHow can therapist have meaningful
conversations with clients about howconversations with clients about how
social & cultural influences perpetuatesocial & cultural influences perpetuate
their MY behaviortheir MY behavior