Psychology 348 Week 5

Two primary pathways for interventions

Amelioration and Transformation

Focus of amelioration

individual-level behaviours, changing individual outcomes

Focus of transformation

system-level change, addressing structural roots

Nature of Amelioration

reactive and remedial

Nature of Transformation

proactive and preventative

Target group of Amelioration

those already experiencing the problem

Target group of Transformation

multiple levels of systems, the broader community

Approach of Amelioration

deficit-focused, seeks to fix or improve a current state

Approach of Transformation

social justice-focused, acknowledges structural inequalities

Components of Amelioration

individual treatment and support services

Components of Transformation

protective factors

community building

policy

advocacy

social action

Role of the community psychologist in Amelioration

acts as a service provider, therapist, or expert consultant focused on individual clinical needs

Role of the community psychologist in transformation

collaborator, advocate, or social activist. work with the community to challenge systemic oppression and influence policy

The “River” metaphor

used to distinguish between addressing symptoms and addressing root causes

Upstream approach

proactive approach that prevent problems by addressing social, behavioural, and environmental factors that affect health

Downstream approach

reactive approach that treats problems after they occur through individual treatment, rehabilitation, and clinical intervention

Social determinants of Health

economic stability

access to quality education

access to healthcare

neighbourhood environment

community support

Caplan’s (1964) Continuum of Prevention

Primary

Secondary

Tertiary prevention

Goal of primary intervention

strop problems from occurring by reducing incidence

Target of primary intervention

entire population, regardless of individual risk status

Focus of primary intervention

identifying risk factors before they become generalised and promoting universal wellness

Goal of secondary prevention

early detection and early intervention to reduce prevalence

Target of secondary prevention

selected or high-risk groups showing early signs of a problem

Focus of secondary prevention

preventing a problem from worsening and reducing the duration or severity of symptoms

Goal of tertiary prevention

treatment and rehabilitation to maximise quality of life

Target of tertiary prevention

those already experiencing the problem

Focus of tertiary prevention

minimising the impact of an established condition and preventing further complications

The risk, approach, and prevention mapping

universal approaches, selected approaches, indicated/treatment approaches

Universal approaches

general population

Selected approaches

high-risk population

Indicated/treatment approaches

imminent risk or in crisis population

The role of Community Health Workers

utilise “insider” perspective to bridge the gap between clinics and communities

focus on context-specific education rather than just clinical treatment

build local resilience through door-to-door psychosocial support

The Typology of Empowerment (Hur, 2006)

existence of stratification and oppression

conscientising

mobilising

maximising

creating a new order/transforming

Existence of stratification and oppression (Hur, 2006)

discovery of realities regarding powerlessness and alienation

Conscientising (Hur, 2006)

gaining awareness of structural inequality” developing “power within”

Mobilising (Hur, 2006)

assertive collective action and support group participation

Maximising (Hur, 2006)

reaching a tipping point where power becomes circular and impact is amplified

Creating a new order/transforming (Hur, 2006)

displacing systemic oppression to establish social justice