Mental health and care in transition: The untapped potential of cultural transformation tools

Cultural transformation plays a significant role in shaping mental health perceptions and care practices. However, there is a lack of standardized tools to assess this dynamic process. This scoping review aims to identify existing evidence on tools used to measure cultural transformation in mental health and adult care. Following the Joanna Briggs Institute framework and PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across seven databases. The search yielded 1271 articles, of which 21 were selected for full review. Despite a rigorous screening process, no studies provided validated tools specifically designed to assess cultural transformation in mental health and care. This review highlights the absence of quantitative instruments capable of measuring shifts in societal values, norms, and practices, as well as their impact on mental health outcomes and care. The lack of such tools limits the ability to systematically assess how cultural transformations—such as migration, globalization, and changing societal attitudes—affect mental health treatment and care access. This gap underscores the need for future research focused on developing standardized assessment tools. These tools would facilitate the development of culturally responsive interventions and enable practitioners to better address the mental health needs of diverse populations. Additionally, cross-cultural studies and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential to ensure the robustness and applicability of these tools across diverse settings. Ultimately, bridging this gap in the literature will contribute to more effective mental health care that aligns with the dynamic nature of cultural evolution. • Scoping review maps tools for cultural transformation in mental health and care. • Across seven databases, no validated instruments were found for cultural change. • Current measures capture static culture, not evolving norms, meanings, and practices. • Evidence gap limits evaluation of stigma, access, and care during social transitions. • Calls for interdisciplinary, cross-cultural tool development for responsive care.