Community Environment

If they exist, what importance does the client place on meeting family expectations? Ask: “How would you describe the kind of life your family wants for you? What kind of life do you want for your own children? Have you ever done something that disappointed your parents? Would you tell me about it? Have you ever argued with your parents? What happened? What happens when your children argue with you?” What are the discrepancies between family expectations and those of the other systems the client interacts with? Ask: “I’m wondering if you ever feel as if you have to act differently at work than you do at home or with your neighborhood friends. What happens when you act as you do at work when you’re home?” Community environment is the third domain of culture and context. This domain involves structural aspects of the community where the client currently lives . For those who have recently immigrated, it also involves comparisons with former community environments and conditions under which migration occurred . For example, Sandhu, Portes, and McPhee reported less stress involved with voluntary migration as opposed to those who were forced to migrate, whereas involuntary minorities may view engagement with the dominant community as a threat to their identity, and thus resist accessing supportive structures .

The sociopolitical climate must also be considered in assessment of community environment. There is always the possibility that racism , bias, and discrimination contribute to community related stress.

Here are some things to listen for and ask about as you gauge your client’s community environment.