Effectiveness of a Multicultural Counseling Approach with Local Cultural Integration in Addressing Psychosocial Problems of Children Facing Mental Health Stigma

Abstract

This study aims to examine the effectiveness of a multicultural counseling approach integrated with local cultural values in helping children experiencing psychosocial problems due to stigma related to mental health disorders. This study was conducted using a systematic literature review method to obtain a comprehensive overview of the application of local cultural principles in multicultural counseling practices. Data sources were collected from 45 scientific publications published between 2019 and 2024 through various national databases such as SINTA, Google Scholar, and official journal portals of universities in Indonesia. Based on the results of screening for topic suitability, abstracts, and methodological quality, 20 articles were selected as the main material for the analysis. This study used a content analysis sheet as the study instrument, and the data were analyzed through a qualitative approach with thematic analysis techniques to identify patterns, strategies, and trends in the application of local culture-based multicultural counseling. The results of the study indicate that the application of local culture in counseling can reduce social stigma, strengthen family and community support, and improve children's psychosocial well-being. Counselors also play a crucial role in providing education and advocacy based on cultural values to make services more inclusive and contextual. Overall, this approach is considered effective and relevant to be developed as a counseling model that is adaptive to cultural diversity in Indonesia