Explanation

Cultural explanatory models are not pathology. Many cultures, including Hmong culture, understand mental health symptoms through spiritual, relational, or somatic frameworks that differ from the biomedical model. The DSM-5 Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI) provides a structured approach for clinicians to understand: the patient's cultural identity and reference group, the cultural conceptualization of distress, psychosocial stressors and cultural features of vulnerability, cultural features of the relationship between the individual and the clinician, and the overall cultural assessment for diagnosis and care. For Hmong patients, spiritual disturbance (such as soul loss) is a culturally recognized explanation for psychological distress. Integrating traditional healing practices alongside evidence-based psychiatric treatment — when the traditional practices are safe — demonstrates cultural humility, strengthens the therapeutic alliance, and is associated with improved treatment engagement and outcomes in refugee populations.

Key Takeaway

Cultural explanatory models are not pathology. Use DSM-5 Cultural Formulation Interview.