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Date of Award
Summer 2025
Rights
Access perpetually restricted to EWU users with an active EWU NetID
Document Type
Thesis: EWU Only
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA) in Child Life
Department
Children's Studies
Abstract
As pediatric healthcare settings become increasingly diverse, Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS) are uniquely positioned to provide culturally competent care that supports the psychosocial and developmental needs of children and families. This qualitative study explores the strategies CCLSs use to address cultural differences, their perceptions of how cultural competence influences the services they provide, and the effectiveness of those services for children and families. Using semi-structured interviews, CCLS participants shared their approaches to providing inclusive and culturally competent care across various hospital settings. Thematic analysis revealed three overarching themes: 1) Approaches to Cultural Competency, 2) Personal and Institutional Challenges, and 3) Strategies for Inclusive Practice. Subthemes included Seeking Cultural Understanding through Communication and Inquiry, Respecting and Incorporating Cultural Values and Beliefs, Continual Learning and Cultural Humility, Systematic and Communication Barriers and Mistrust, Cultural Differences in Grief and Emotional Expression, Culturally Responsive Interventions and Play, Trust and Relationship Building as Foundation for Cultural Care, and Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Advocacy. Findings highlighted the importance of building trust, engaging in continuous professional and personal development, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to support culturally responsive care. This study expands on the current literature of cultural competence and highlights the specificity of the child life profession.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Wortman, Jessica, "Cultural competency in Child LIfe practice: exploring the impact of diversity on CCLS service delivery" (2025). EWU Masters Thesis Collection. 1028.
https://dc.ewu.edu/theses/1028
