Cultural Formulation 757
CULTURAL FACTORS AFFECTING SELF- COPING AND PAST HELP SEEKING
SELF-COPING
Clarify individual’s self-coping for the problem. 12. Sometimes people have various ways of 
dealing with problems like [PROBLEM]. 
What has [INDIVIDUAL] done on his/her 
own to cope with his/her [PROBLEM]?
PAST HELP SEEKING
Elicit various sources of help (e.g., medical care, 
mental health treatment,  support groups, work-
based counseling, folk healing, religious or spiri-
tual counseling, other alternative healing).
Probe as needed (e.g., “What other sources of help 
has he/she used?”).
Clarify the indivi dual’s experience and regard for 
previous help.13. Often, people also look for help from many 
different sources, including different kinds 
of doctors, helpers, or healers. In the past, 
what kinds of treatment, help, advice, or 
healing has [INDIVIDUAL] sought for his/
her [PROBLEM]?
PROBE IF DOES NOT DESCRIBE USE-
FULNESS OF HELP RECEIVED:
What types of help or treatment were most 
useful? Not useful?
BARRIERS
Clarify the role of social barriers to help-seeking, 
access to care, and problems engaging in previous 
treatment.14.  Has anything prevented [INDIVIDUAL] 
from getting the help he/she needs?
Probe details as needed (e.g., “What got in the 
way?”).PROBE AS NEEDED:
For example, money, work or family com-
mitments, stigma or discrimination, or lack 
of services that understand his/her lan-
guage or background?