DIAGNOSING DEFICITS IN BASIC TRUST IN MULTIRACIAL AND MULTICULTURAL GROUPS - INDIVIDUAL OR SOCIAL PSYCHOPATHOLOGY

Deficiencies in ''basic trust'' frequently undermine the efficacy of g roup therapy in multiracial and multicultural groups. It is necessary to distinguish trust deficits caused by individual psychopathology, so cietal attitudes (''cultural pathology'', or a combination of both. A typology for classifying self-disclosure problems in multicultural and multiracial groups is presented, and illustrated with case material: Mode A, ''Good enough trust, '' allows patient self-disclosure in mult icultural groups; Mode B, Low level of cultural paranoia and high leve l of functional paranoia; Mode C, Culturally paranoid individual can s elf-disclose in culturally homogeneous group but mistrusts outsiders; Mode D, Confluent paranoid has high levels of both functional and cult ural paranoia. For Modes C and D, it is crucial that experiences of bi as be acknowledged and empathized with first before patients will be a ble to achieve good enough trust to risk self-disclosure. The ethnic c omposition of the group must be attended to in the placement of these patients. Hospital (inpatient) groups are especially likely to have pr oblems with ''basic trust '' The role of the leader in demonstrating e mpathy, tolerance, racial sensitivity, and appropriate self-disclosure is emphasized. Cultural awareness training, a personal group therapy experience for the therapist, and the use of co-therapists are recomme nded as ways of minimizing negative countertransference or cultural bi as on the part of the leader.