Adapting Parent–Child Interaction Therapy for Deaf Families That Communicate via American Sign Language: A Formal Adaptation Approach

• Published in: Cognitive and behavioral practice 2018-02, Vol.25 (1), p.7-21
• Main Authors: Day, Lori A., Costa, Elizabeth Adams, Previ, Danielle, Caverly, Colleen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: deaf; ecological validity theory; parent–child interaction therapy; psychotherapy adaptation
• ISSN: 1077-7229; 1878-187X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpra.2017.01.008

While our field has made positive strides in adapting psychotherapeutic interventions for diverse groups of people, considerable work is still needed in this area. We present our formal adaptation procedure for parent–child interaction therapy (PCIT) with Deaf persons. This includes a review of the cultural adaptation process for psychological interventions, including PCIT, as well as an introduction to Deaf culture. Details regarding the specific adaptation of PCIT for Deaf persons are outlined. We found that the utilization of a clear framework to guide the cultural adaptation process facilitated careful consideration of the numerous linguistic and cultural variables involved, while maintaining integrity of the treatment model. While the current focus was on adapting PCIT for Deaf families who communicate via American Sign Language, this framework can also be applied to other populations and/or interventions. •Research applying rigorous cultural adaptation processes of psychotherapeutic interventions is limited.•Deaf individuals make up a minority group with limited access to mental health services.•Utilizing a formal cultural adaptation process facilitated careful considerations of the numerous linguistic and cultural variables involved.•Utilization of a formal cultural adaptation framework can be applied to other populations and/or interventions.