" (Weiss, Goebel, Page, Wilson and Warda, 1998) it is reported that the study was focused on the determination of the degree to which behavioral and emotional problems may be related to the family's financial status, cultural heritage, degree of acculturation, and family functioning." (Weiss, Goebel, Page, Wilson and Warda, 1998) Results stated in the work of Weiss, Goebel, Page, Wilson and Warda (1998) are stated to suggest that "...as a group, Latino preschoolers are quite well adjusted, experiencing a range of emotional and behavioral problems typical for their age group. However, a small proportion of the sample demonstrated behaviors indicative of substantial mental health problems. Boys seem more likely to warrant clinical concern as a result of both their externalizing and internalizing problems." (Weiss, Goebel, Page, Wilson and Warda, 1998)

IV. DSM-IV Cultural Formulation Guidelines

Parron states that the components of the DSM-IV Cultural Formulation Guidelines are:

(1) cultural identity of the individual;

(2) cultural explanations of the individual's illness;

(3) Cultural factors related to psychosocial environment and functioning;

(4) Cultural elements of the relationship between the individual and the clinician; and (5) Overall cultural assessment for diagnosis and care. (Parron, 1997)

Analysis

Assessment of the behavioral and emotional state and factors of the individual is an initiative that requires that one understand the target culture or the culture of origination of the individual undergoing assessment. Different behavioral expectations exist among and between various cultures of the world and what might appear to be problem behavior in one culture may be viewed as normal...

Because of this assessment of certain behavioral and emotional aspects of the individual is characterized by a great deal of difficultly and challenge. That which is viewed as normal or expected behavior in the culture of North America individuals is viewed quite differently by other cultures who may be either more or less conservative in their approach or interactions with other cultures. Behavioral problems in the Latino community may not be viewed as behavioral problems in the traditional American household and vice-versa. Therefore, it is critically important that the psychological profile of an individual give consideration to the customs and culture of the individual undergoing assessment as there is not a generic umbrella assessment that can be used across all cultures and belief systems. Parron (1997) urges researchers in the next century to move beyond "superficial descriptive conclusions on their research efforts...and delve more deeply into understanding those factors that make ethnic and nonethnic children and adolescents so similar and yet so different." (Parron, 1997)
Bibliography

Hoagwood, Kimberly and Jensen, Peter S. (1997) Developmental Psychopathology and the Notion of Culture; Introduction to the Special Section on 'The Fusion of Cultural Horizons: Cultural Influences on the Assessment of Psychopathology in Children and Adolescents. Applied Development Science 1997. Vol. 1 No.3.

Parron, Delores L. (1997) the Fusion of Cultural Horizons; Cultural Influences on the Assessment of Psychopathology on Children. Applied Development Science 1997. Vol. 1 No.3.

Weiss, S.J., Goebel, P., Page, a., Wilson, P. And Warda, M. (1998) the Impact of Cultural and Familial Context on Behavioral and Emotional Problems…