Cultural Humility In Practice: New Qualitative Study Explores Cultural Congruence Pathways in Relationship Building
Lee, S. J., Griffith, A. N., Sánchez, B., Jiang, X., Leggett, C., Bilal, N. J. N., & Chung, S. (2024). “He knows me as a person”: Navigating cultural dynamics in relational pathways towards positive youth-adult relationships in youth programs. Journal of Adolescent Research, 1(33).
Introduction
Lee and colleagues (2024) examine the intricate dynamics of cultural fit and responsiveness in fostering positive relationships between youth and adult program leaders in after-school programs. Grounded in cultural ecological models, the research investigates how cultural congruence and incongruence influence relational processes.
Methods
The research employed a qualitative design using semi-structured interviews with 50 racially and ethnically diverse youth aged 12–19 (64% girls) across 13 Midwest-based after-school programs. Sampling prioritized programs with a low turnover rate, participants from low- to middle-income backgrounds, and a positive youth development framework.
Results
- Cultural Similarities:
- Youth often assumed leaders shared an intrinsic understanding of them based on shared cultural traits, fostering quick trust.
- Relational processes included mutual understanding, familial or friend-like bonds, and a sense of comfort.
- Cultural Differences:
- Youth evaluated leaders’ cultural sensitivity through observations and informal conversations about shared values or experiences with their cultural background.
- Successful relationships required leaders to demonstrate respect and understanding of cultural nuances, which youth used as indicators of trustworthiness.
- Shared Pathways:
- Across all relationships, feeling understood was pivotal in fostering trust and connection.
- Relationships in culturally congruent settings developed faster, while those with cultural differences required deliberate interaction and effort.
Discussion
The study highlights the essential role of cultural congruence and responsiveness in youth-adult relationships. While cultural similarities naturally facilitated connection and trust, cultural differences presented opportunities for deliberate learning and respect-building. These findings underscore the importance of training program leaders in cultural humility and fostering environments where cultural exploration and sensitivity are prioritized.
Implications for Mentoring Programs
- Training on Cultural Humility: Programs should consider developing and disseminating cultural humility trainings to program managers and mentors. These trainings should consider specific culturally-informed interventions and interpersonal skills that could help build connection and trust despite cultural differences.
- Promote Open Dialogue: Create opportunities for for youth and leaders to explore cultural backgrounds and share experiences.
- Monitor Program Climate: Create feedback mechanisms between mentee’s, mentor’s, and program leaders that allow for monitoring of the environments respectfulness and celebration of cultural differences.
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