Clinical Practice SWES Practice Exam

According to DSM-5, a group of symptom patterns unique to a specific ethnic or national group is termed what?

1. A cultural syndrome

2. A standard DSM diagnosis

3. A nonstandard diagnosis

4. A culture-bound syndrome

The correct answer is: A culture-bound syndrome

The term that describes a group of symptom patterns unique to a specific ethnic or national group is known as a culture-bound syndrome. This concept is recognized in the DSM-5 as it acknowledges that certain mental health symptoms and concepts may present differently across various cultural contexts. Culture-bound syndromes are not merely variations of common mental disorders; they are patterns of behavior and experience that are specifically tied to cultural frameworks and practices. By identifying these syndromes, mental health professionals can better understand and treat individuals from diverse backgrounds, recognizing that cultural factors significantly influence the expression and interpretation of psychological distress. This understanding fosters culturally competent care, which is essential for effective diagnosis and treatment planning. The other options do not appropriately define this concept: cultural syndrome generally refers to the broader category of culturally specific patterns but doesn't precisely capture the uniqueness to a specific ethnic group as the term culture-bound syndrome does. Standards or nonstandard diagnoses do not encompass the cultural specificity and connotations described in the primary question, which focuses on the interplay between mental health symptoms and cultural context.