Journal of Behavioral Health and Psychology. 2022;
11(1):(307-345)
Recovery Assessment: Culture, Ethnicity, and Spiritual Dysfunction
Pascal Scoles
Abstract
Religion and Spirituality are essential pieces to an individual's or group's identity and are
present on the spectrum of multicultural diversity. Human service practitioners cannot
overlook how individuals conceptualize their relationship with the Sacred. Knowledge of
spiritual beliefs and practices creates the basic cultural competence of the practitioner. It
enriches the relationship between the practitioner and the person receiving service and
makes room for powerful spiritual healing. There needs to be a professional nonsectarian
change toward a holistic model of recovery and resilience that embraces the spiritual
dimension. This dimension must include traditional and non-traditional belief systems
not just as part of the self-help movement but as part of an integrated psychological and
spiritual health model that complements people's biological and genetic foundation. This
integrated model must focus on: (1) the elimination of stress in the overall community;
(2) being attentive toward environmental factors such as divorce, death, and Illness; and
(3) supporting and providing opportunities for better housing, increased employment
opportunities and positive family activities. Effective treatment services must embrace
a holistic approach that integrates well into a comprehensive social support network
perspective
