5 - (SYM 23) Are All Cultural Adaptations Appreciated Equally? An Exploratory Study on Perceived Importance of Cultural Adaptations Among QPOC

Over 10 million Americans identify as queer people of color (QPOC); yet QPOC are underrepresented in the mental health services literature. QPOC also face unique stressors and barriers to care that may increase risk for poor mental health outcomes and thereby may benefit from culturally adapted treatment. Various models of cultural adaptation have been proposed to help increase cultural compatibility of treatments for marginalized communities; however, these models have focused on adapting treatment for queer-identified people or POC. Given considerations that lie at the intersection of these identities, it is imperative to understand cultural adaptations specifically relevant to QPOC. This study explored cultural adaptations to evidence-based treatments (EBTs) that QPOC perceived to be important. The Ethnic Minority Services Scale (EMSS) was completed by 186 QPOC adults living in America. Items on the EMSS were coded by two members of the research team as relating to culturally competent skills, interpersonal process, or therapeutic procedures. Participants perceived culturally competent skills to be moderately to very important (M=3.02, SD=0.64), therapeutic procedures to be somewhat to moderately important (M=2.93, SD=0.61), and interpersonal process to be somewhat to moderately important (M=2.80, SD=0.63). Regression results showed that participants who identified as female (p=.02) or nonbinary (p=.01) perceived adaptations related to therapeutic procedures to be significantly more important than participants who identified as male. Participants who identified as nonbinary (p=.02) also perceived skills to be significantly more important than participants who identified as male. There were no significant differences in perceived importance of process by race, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Results provide a glimpse into the various cultural adaptations that are important to consider when working with QPOC. However, it is important to recognize that there is not a one-size fits all solution to providing culturally congruent care, and clinicians should consider QPOC clients’ individual needs. Future research should explore strategies for improving the effectiveness and cultural compatibility of EBTs with QPOC. This includes increasing QPOC representation in research, developing measures to capture QPOC experiences, and exploring ways to further engage QPOC in mental healthcare services.