SCIENCE IN THE NEWS DAILY
Eastern 'Collectivist' Culture May Buffer Against Depression
from USA Today
People who live in Western culture may get depressed more than those from East Asian culture because Westerners don't have the cultural support that can protect them from a genetic vulnerability to depression, suggests a new study from Northwestern University, in Evanston, Ill.
Researchers say Western culture is more individualistic and more concerned with "me" while East Asian culture is more collectivistic and focused on "we."
Psychologist Joan Chiao, the study's lead author, says those from more collectivist cultures are more likely to value social harmony over individualism and support behaviors that increase group cohesion and interdependence. She says more collectivist cultures may give individuals who are genetically susceptible to depression an implied or expressed social support which buffers them from depressive episodes.
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