CULTURAL DEFINITION OF THE PROBLEM
Elicit the informant’s view  of core problems and key 
concerns.
Focus on the informant’s way of understanding the 
individual’s problem.
Use the term, expression, or brief description elicited 
in question 1 to identify the problem in subsequent 
questions (e.g., “her conflict with her son”).2. What brings your family member/friend 
here today?
IF INFORMANT GIVES FEW DETAILS OR 
ONLY MENTIONS SYMPTOMS OR A 
MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS, PROBE:
People often understand problems in their 
own way, which may be similar or differ-
ent from how doctors describe the prob-
lem. How would you describe 
[INDIVIDUAL’S] problem?
Ask how informant frames the problem for members 
of the social network.3. Sometimes people have different ways of 
describing the problem to family, friends, 
or others in their community. How would 
you describe [INDIVIDUAL’S] problem to 
them?
Focus on the aspects of the problem that matter most 
to the informant.4. What troubles you most about [INDIVID-
UAL’S] problem?