Current Practices in Incorporating Culture into Forensic Mental Health Assessment: A Survey of Practitioners

Abstract

Forensic evaluators conduct assessments of individuals with a wide range of sociocultural identities. Although recommendations regarding how to incorporate cultural considerations in forensic evaluations have been published over the past decade, there is no clear consensus on best practices nor is it clear how evaluators interpret and apply the available recommendations. The current survey represents a replication and extension of a previous survey regarding self-reported culturally-informed practices among forensic evaluators. Subjects were forensic mental health professionals (n = 258; 64.7% women, 69.4% PhD or PsyD) recruited through listservs and training events to complete a survey online or by hard copy. Evaluators reported significant challenges in conducting culturally-informed evaluations, including lack of appropriate tests for their examinees, lack of guidelines for their evaluations, lack of colleagues from diverse backgrounds, and lack of relevant research. Evaluators reported engaging in a wide range of culturally-informed practices across all domains, some being nearly universal (e.g., considered cultural context when forming diagnosis). In contrast, other practices were relatively uncommon (e.g., referred the evaluation to another professional with more knowledge/experience regarding examinees with particular identities). Results indicate a need for more research, more practice guidelines, and diversification of the forensic mental health workforce.