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Xiang G, Teng Z, Yang L, He Y. Longitudinal relationships among sociocultural pressure for body image, self-concept clarity, and emotional well-being in adolescents. J Adolesc 2024; 96:98-111. [PMID: 37787102 DOI: 10.1002/jad.12257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study examined the longitudinal relationships among sociocultural pressure for body image (SPBI), self-concept clarity (SCC), and emotional well-being (EWB) at both the between- and within-person levels. METHODS The participants were 2001 Chinese adolescents (age range 11-24, 42.9% males). Recruitment of participants occurred for 1 year across three waves (i.e., 6 months apart across three cohorts). The baseline and follow-up questionnaire surveys were utilized to assess SPBI, SCC, EWB, and background variables. Longitudinal associations between the above main variables were tested using a cross-lagged panel model (CLPM) and multilevel regression analysis. RESULTS The CLPM and multilevel-model analysis showed that SCC longitudinally mediated the relationships between SPBI and EWB. Besides, gender and age were considered moderators in the associations among SPBI, SCC, and EWB. CONCLUSIONS SCC could be an underlying mechanism for the longitudinal relationship between SPBI and EWB among Chinese adolescents, which provides a potential intervention target for improving adolescents' well-being from a sociocultural framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangcan Xiang
- Tian Jiabing College of Education, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Zhaojun Teng
- Research Center of Mental Health Education, Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Linchuan Yang
- Tian Jiabing College of Education, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Yanyan He
- Tian Jiabing College of Education, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
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Weiss-Sidi M, Riemer H. Help others-be happy? The effect of altruistic behavior on happiness across cultures. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1156661. [PMID: 37425146 PMCID: PMC10326385 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1156661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Research has established that altruistic behavior increases happiness. We examined this phenomenon across cultures, differentiating between individualistic and collectivist cultures. We propose that cultural variations in the notion of altruism lead to different effects of helping on the helper's happiness. For individualists, altruism is linked to self-interest ("impure" altruism), and helping others results in increased happiness for the helper. For collectivists, altruism is focused on the recipient ("pure" altruism), and helping others is less likely to enhance the helper's happiness. Four studies support our predictions. Study 1 measured the dispositions toward altruism among people with various cultural orientations. Consistent with our predictions, the findings showed that individualism (collectivism) was positively associated with tendencies reflecting more "impure" ("pure") altruism. Two experimental studies then examined the moderating role of cultural orientation on the effect of spending money on oneself versus others (Study 2) or of doing a kind action (making tea for oneself versus others; Study 3). Both experimental studies demonstrated that altruistic behavior had a positive effect on happiness for individualists but not for collectivists. Finally, Study 4, which utilized data from the World Values Survey to examine the altruism-happiness link in various countries, displayed a stronger link between altruistic behavior and happiness in individualistic (vs. collectivist) cultures. Altogether, this research sheds light on cultural differences in the display of altruism, revealing different motivations for and consequences of altruistic behaviors.
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Abstract
Previous research has indicated that some aspects of Chinese culture became more individualistic. However, prior studies have suggested a decrease in individualism in other aspects of China. Thus, it was unclear whether China became more individualistic. Therefore, the current research investigated whether Chinese culture became more individualistic by examining historical changes in family structure. Specifically, I analyzed temporal shifts in the divorce rate and household size, which have been confirmed as valid representative indicators of individualism. Results showed that the divorce rate increased between 1978 and 2017 and household size decreased between 1953 and 2017, indicating a rise in individualism. Moreover, analyses suggested that the one-child policy was unlikely the sole and major factor in the decrease in household size. Additionally, the aggregated score of divorce rate and household size demonstrated a clear increase in individualism. Therefore, the present research provided further evidence of the rise in individualism in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Ogihara
- Faculty of Science Division II, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo, 162-8601, Japan
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, 90095-1563, USA
- Department of Cognitive Psychology in Education, Graduate School of Education, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
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Rajkumar RP. Cultural values and changes in happiness in 78 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic: An analysis of data from the World Happiness Reports. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1090340. [PMID: 36818129 PMCID: PMC9932538 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1090340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The concept of happiness is consistent across cultures to a significant extent, and encompasses both internal (subjective) and external (situational) aspects. Cultural values and norms shape emotions and behavior from an early age, and hence play a key role in influencing cross-national variations in happiness. Cross-national variations in culture can thus play a key role in influencing the relationship between adverse circumstances, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and happiness. The current study examines the relationship between the six dimensions of culture, defined by Hofstede and his colleagues, and subjective ratings of happiness in 78 countries, obtained before (2017-19) and during (2020-21) the COVID-19 pandemic, based on data from the most recent World Happiness reports. The key results were: (a) countries were as likely to experience an increase as a decrease in self-reported happiness during this period; (b) distinct domains of culture were significantly correlated with happiness at each time point, though there was a certain degree of overlap; (c) pre-pandemic levels of happiness were negatively associated with changes in happiness during the pandemic; and (d) among cultural dimensions, long-term orientation was positively associated with changes in subjective happiness, while indulgence was negatively associated with this variable. Certain cultural values may play an important part in fostering a path to well-being in the face of stressful or traumatic circumstances. This path may be similar to the concept of mature happiness, derived from existential philosophy, which is characterized by achieving a balance between the positive and negative aspects of one's life.
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Honda H, Kita T. Social prescription for isolated parenting in Japan: Socioeconomic characteristics of mothers with weak social connectivity in their community. HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY 2022; 30:e1815-e1823. [PMID: 34661947 PMCID: PMC9543771 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The social connection of mothers is important for the sound development of children and the prevention of child maltreatment. Understanding the attributes of mothers at risk of isolation enables community workers to support vulnerable mothers. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the socioeconomic predictors of isolation risk for mothers and was conducted in Japan between December 2018 and February 2019. The self-administered questionnaire included the Social Connectivity of Mother Scale along with maternal age, marital status, employment status, education, number of children, years of child-rearing experience, whether childcare or kindergarten was used, family structure, years of residence, housing type, family finances, and level of neighbourhood interactions. There were 510 valid responses (51.6%). In the multiple regression analysis, five socioeconomic characteristics were associated with mothers' low social connectivity: the standardised coefficient of the maternal age of 20-24 was -0.12 (p = 0.004), lack of childcare or kindergarten usage, -0.09 (p = 0.032), and poor family finances, -0.09 (p = 0.031); mothers' perception of neighbourhood interactions was found to be poor at -0.29 (p < 0.001). The model did not take into account the effects of family finances, and the scores were low when the highest level of education of the mother was junior high or high school. Mothers' perception of neighbourhood interactions was a significant predictor of isolation risk, along with maternal age, education level, and financial comfort. Our findings give policymakers, community workers, and community leaders an insight into the importance of cultivating interactions among neighbourhood communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hikaru Honda
- School of NursingSapporo City UniversitySapporoJapan
| | - Toshiko Kita
- School of NursingSapporo City UniversitySapporoJapan
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6
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Kanehara A, Koike H, Fujieda Y, Yajima S, Kabumoto A, Kumakura Y, Morita K, Miyamoto Y, Nochi M, Kasai K. Culture-dependent and universal constructs and promoting factors for the process of personal recovery in users of mental health services: qualitative findings from Japan. BMC Psychiatry 2022; 22:105. [PMID: 35144562 PMCID: PMC8832737 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-022-03750-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The conceptualization of personal recovery began in Europe and North America and has spread worldwide. However, the concept of personal recovery in addition to recovery-promoting factors may be influenced by culture. We explored how users of mental health services in Japan perceive their own personal recovery and the factors that promote it. METHODS We conducted semi-structured interviews and focus group interviews with individuals using mental health services. The interview data were analysed using thematic analysis with a grouped framework analysis approach. We used a coding framework based on the existing CHIME framework (connectedness, hope and optimism about the future, identity, meaning in life, and empowerment). RESULTS Data were obtained from 30 users of mental health services (mean age: 40.4 years; 46.7% women; 50.0% with schizophrenia). "Compassion for others" was newly extracted in "Connectedness", and "Rebuilding/redefining identity not being as shaped by social norms" was newly extracted in "Identity" as personal recovery. "Positive experiences in childhood" (including positive parenting support from neighbours) was newly extracted as a recovery-promoting factor. CONCLUSIONS Our unique findings on the rebuilding identity/defining identity free from conformity to social norms due to interactions with familiar people, including peers, may be culture dependent. This study raises overarching questions regarding how socio-cultural values influence the development of identity and personal values and how they are in turn reflected in personal recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Kanehara
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, University of Tokyo Hospital, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan.
| | - Haruna Koike
- grid.419280.60000 0004 1763 8916Department of Pathology of Mental Diseases, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yumiko Fujieda
- grid.412708.80000 0004 1764 7572Department of Rehabilitation, University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sayaka Yajima
- grid.412708.80000 0004 1764 7572Department of Rehabilitation, University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Asami Kabumoto
- grid.412708.80000 0004 1764 7572Department of Rehabilitation, University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yousuke Kumakura
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Mental Health/ Psychiatric Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kentaro Morita
- grid.412708.80000 0004 1764 7572Department of Rehabilitation, University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuki Miyamoto
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Psychiatric Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiro Nochi
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Clinical Psychology, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kiyoto Kasai
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan ,grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XThe International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN) at The University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study (UTIAS), Tokyo, Japan
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Dong Y, Dong H, Yuan Y, Jiang J. Role of Peer Coaching in Transmitting the Benefits of Leader Coaching. Front Psychol 2022; 12:679370. [PMID: 35087438 PMCID: PMC8787309 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.679370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Drawing on social information processing theory, the present study examines how and when leader coaching can be beneficial for team performance. Based on a sample of 58 teams from a sanitary product company in China, we found that peer coaching served as a mediator linking leader coaching and team performance. Moreover, the team individualistic/collectivism value moderated the first-stage relationship that the relationship between leader coaching and peer coaching was more positive when the team individualism value was low, but not significant when the team individualism value was high; while team task interdependence moderated the second-stage relationship that the relationship between peer coaching and team performance was more positive when the team task interdependence was high, but not significant when it was low. The findings enrich our understandings of the effectiveness of leader coaching behavior by uncovering the theoretical mechanism and boundary conditions. The study also provides important implications for coaching practice in organizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Dong
- School of Economics and Management, Beihang University, Beijing, China
| | - Huijuan Dong
- School of Tourism Science, Beijing International Studies University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- School of Tourism Science, Beijing International Studies University, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Jiang
- School of Tourism Science, Beijing International Studies University, Beijing, China
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8
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Mitra S, Uvais NA. Individualism and social isolation during the pandemic. Asian J Psychiatr 2021; 66:102892. [PMID: 34710796 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2021.102892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sayantanava Mitra
- Monash Health and School of Medical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - N A Uvais
- Department of Psychiatry, Iqraa International Hospital and Research Centre, Calicut, India.
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Happiness at Work and Motivation for a Sustainable Workforce: Evidence from Female Hotel Employees. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13147778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Employment practices that support happiness at work are critical tools for developing a sustainable workforce. In today’s challenging environment, both economically and environmentally, the contribution of a sustainable workforce, which is the most critical asset for hospitality businesses to survive and succeed, cannot be ignored. This study explores the effects of motivational dimensions on happiness at work. These relationships were evaluated using the SPSS for Windows 25.0 and AMOS 23.0 programs. For this purpose, data were collected from 271 female employees in various four- and five-star hotels in North Cyprus. As predicted, the results revealed that motivational dimensions affect the dimensions of happiness at work. This study confirmed that a better understanding of employees’ needs and demands would encourage motivation and result in happier employees. The findings offer important implications for hospitality industry organizations seeking to maximize employee happiness in the workplace and strive for the sustainability of their workforce.
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10
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Mikkelsen BE, Romani AQ, Bo IG, Sudzina F, Brandão MP. Does It Run in the Family? How Family Background Affects Attachment Styles for Students in Higher Education. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18105135. [PMID: 34066171 PMCID: PMC8150735 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background: Socioeconomic background has traditionally been the most important determinant of an individual’s social advantage. Studies have used social class and opportunities based on parental income and education to predict such advantage. There is limited evidence that stratification mechanisms other than socioeconomic background can play an important role. The purpose of the study is to examine the influence of the traditional factors (income and education) of family background on students’ social attachment styles compared to other background variables (civil status and number of children). Methods: We used the Vulnerable Attachment Style Questionnaire as an outcome measure to assess students’ social attachment advantage. As a point of departure, we use theories of social psychology to categorize social relations in terms of secure or insecure bonding, respectively. Results: A cross-sectional data set of 912 university students from five European countries was used. With respect to social attachment, the likelihood of being a student with robust relations increases by 23% if the students have high-income parents. Students with robust relations also have a decreased likelihood of poor body self-esteem by 19% when compared with other students. Conclusions: Stratification mechanisms other than social class, such as parental characteristics, civil status, and number of siblings, all affect the privileged students’ social relations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bent E. Mikkelsen
- Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23, DK-1958 Frederiksberg, Denmark;
| | - Anette Q. Romani
- Department of Sociology and Social Work, Aalborg University, Fibigerstræde 13, 122, DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark; (A.Q.R.); (I.G.B.)
| | - Inger G. Bo
- Department of Sociology and Social Work, Aalborg University, Fibigerstræde 13, 122, DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark; (A.Q.R.); (I.G.B.)
| | - Frantisek Sudzina
- Department of Materials and Production, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Aalborg University, A. C. Meyers Vænge 15, 2450 Copenhagen, Denmark; or
- Department of Systems Analysis, Faculty of Informatics and Statistics, University of Economics, nám. W. Churchilla 1938/4, 130 67 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Maria P. Brandão
- School of Health, University of Aveiro, Edifício 30, Agras do Crasto-Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
- Centre for Health Technology and Services Research, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence:
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Arpaci I, Abdeljawad T, Baloğlu M, Kesici Ş, Mahariq I. Mediating Effect of Internet Addiction on the Relationship Between Individualism and Cyberbullying: Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study. J Med Internet Res 2020; 22:e16210. [PMID: 32463369 PMCID: PMC7290454 DOI: 10.2196/16210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Among a variety of dynamics that may have effects on internet-related behaviors, cultural orientation is particularly important. Previous studies suggest that individualism is a strong determinant of certain behaviors. In addition, findings suggest that vertical individualism may lead to the development of more tolerance for addiction and aggression on the internet. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate whether vertical individualism has significant positive effects on cyberbullying and internet addiction and whether horizontal individualism has significant negative effects on cyberbullying and internet addiction. A theoretical model was specified to test the relationships among vertical versus horizontal individualism, cyberbullying, and internet addiction. METHODS A total of 665 college students were selected using a convenience sampling method and willingly participated in the study. Participants' ages ranged from 17 to 19 years (mean 17.94 years, SD 1.12 years). Of the group, 462 were women (462/665, 69.5%), and 203 were men (203/665, 30.5%). Study majors represented were mathematics (113/665, 17%), sciences (102/665, 15.3%), instructional technology (99/665, 14.9%), psychology (98/665, 14.7%), and others (253/665, 38.1%). Self-report instruments were used to measure vertical/horizontal individualism, cyberbullying, and internet addiction. RESULTS Results show a significant positive effect of vertical individualism (effect size 0.10) and significant negative effect of horizontal individualism (effect size -0.12) on cyberbullying. In addition, the direct effect of vertical individualism on internet addiction was significant (effect size 0.28), but the direct effect of horizontal individualism was not (effect size -0.05). Internet addiction had a significant direct effect on cyberbullying (effect size 0.39) as well as an intervening effect on the relationship between vertical individualism and cyberbullying. Results also indicate significant gender differences in cultural patterns and internet addiction. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that horizontal and vertical individualism have significant effects on internet addiction. The findings also suggest that vertical individualists are more vulnerable to internet addiction. Further, the findings indicate a significant relationship between internet addiction and cyberbullying.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Arpaci
- Department of Computer Education and Instructional Technology, Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University, Tokat, Turkey
| | - Thabet Abdeljawad
- Department of Mathematics and General Sciences, Prince Sultan University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Medical Research, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Mustafa Baloğlu
- Department of Special Education, Faculty of Education, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Şahin Kesici
- Department of Educational Sciences, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Ibrahim Mahariq
- College of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, Kuwait
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12
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Ranabhat CL, Jakovljevic M, Dhimal M, Kim CB. Structural Factors Responsible for Universal Health Coverage in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Results From 118 Countries. Front Public Health 2020; 7:414. [PMID: 32039128 PMCID: PMC6985282 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2019.00414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Demography, politics, economy, and governance appear to be the major structural factors for health and well-being. These factors have a significant role to play in achieving universal health coverage (UHC). The majority of previous studies did not highlight those factors. The aim of this study is to explore the basic structural factors (political stability, demography, gross national income, governance, and transparency) associated with a UHC index of low- and middle-income countries because for a long time there has be a stagnation achieving universal health coverage. Methodology: This study was a cross-sectional study applying multiple indices as variables. Low- and middle-income countries' selected indicators were the study variables. Data concerned the current political stability, sociodemographic status, gross national income (GNI), and governance status as independent variables and the UHC index of the countries as the dependent variable. Mean and standard deviations were used for the average values of the variables, a raw correlation was shown among variables and a hierarchical linear regression model was used for multi variate analysis. Results: Government health expenditure is 6% out of the total budget in upper middle countries (UMIC) and ~5% in lower middle countries (LMIC) and low-income countries (LIC), population below poverty line is more than 2-fold higher in LIC in comparison with high income countries, UHC index, and socio-demographic index (SDI) index is similar in LMIC and LIC and slightly higher in UMIC. There is a positive association between government health expenditure, governance index, stability index, the SDI index, and GNI per capita and a negative association between populations below poverty line with UHC index. According to our full regression analysis model, governance, stability, and SDI index were associated with a significantly increased UHC index by 0.33, 0.41, and 0.57 (p < 0.05). Conclusion: To achieve UHC, good governance, political stability, and demographic balance are prerequisites and addressing these factors would help to meet by 2030 across countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chhabi Lal Ranabhat
- Policy Research Institute, Kathmandu, Nepal.,Department of Public Health, Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Science, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Mihajlo Jakovljevic
- Department of Global Health Economics and Policy, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia.,Division of Health Economics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Public Health and Healthcare, First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Meghnath Dhimal
- Nepal Health Research Council, Ramshahpath, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Chun-Bae Kim
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, South Korea.,Hongcheon County Hypertension and Diabetes Registration and Education Center, Hongcheon, South Korea.,Institute for Poverty Alleviation and International Development, Yonsei University, Wonju, South Korea
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13
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Eskin M, Tran US, Carta MG, Poyrazli S, Flood C, Mechri A, Shaheen A, Janghorbani M, Khader Y, Yoshimasu K, Sun JM, Kujan O, Abuidhail J, Aidoudi K, Bakhshi S, Harlak H, Moro MF, Phillips L, Hamdan M, Abuderman A, Tsuno K, Voracek M. Is Individualism Suicidogenic? Findings From a Multinational Study of Young Adults From 12 Countries. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:259. [PMID: 32308634 PMCID: PMC7145967 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The associations of individualistic versus collectivistic value orientations with suicidal ideation and attempts, attitudes towards suicide and towards suicidal individuals, and psychological distress were investigated across 12 nations (N = 5572 university students). We expected differential associations of value orientations with suicidal behavior and moderating effects of the prevailing value orientations in the various countries. Findings showed that intermediate levels of individualism appeared protective against suicide attempts across all investigated nations, but that, otherwise, there seemingly are no universal associations of individualism and collectivism with suicidal behaviors. High collectivism was associated with less suicidal ideation only in individualistic countries. Low individualism appeared to be a risk factor for suicidal ideation specifically in Muslim collectivistic cultures, whereas high individualism in Asian collectivistic cultures. Collectivistic values are uniformly associated with less permissive attitudes to suicide, whereas individualistic values with a more stigmatized view of suicidal behavior. Both individualistic and collectivistic values were associated with socially accepting attitudes to a suicidal peer, helping a suicidal friend, and emotional involvement. The associations of individualistic and collectivistic values with disapproving attitudes to suicidal disclosure were complex. Beliefs in punishment after death for suicide, seeing suicide as mental illness, and emotional involvement with a suicidal friend were lower in high-suicide-rate countries. These evidence patterns are discussed in the light of related research evidence, along with directions for future research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Eskin
- Department of Psychology, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ulrich S Tran
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, School of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Wiener Werkstaette for Suicide Research, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mauro Giovanni Carta
- Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Senel Poyrazli
- School of Behavioral Sciences and Education, Pennsylvania State University-Harrisburg, Middletown, PA, United States
| | - Chris Flood
- School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anwar Mechri
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Amira Shaheen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, West Bank, Palestine
| | - Mohsen Janghorbani
- School of Public Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Yousef Khader
- Department of Community Medicine, Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science & Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Kouichi Yoshimasu
- Department of Hygiene, School of Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Jian-Min Sun
- Department of Management and International Business, Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Omar Kujan
- UWA Dental School, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | | | - Khouala Aidoudi
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Seifollah Bakhshi
- School of Public Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Hacer Harlak
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey
| | - Maria Francesca Moro
- Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Louise Phillips
- School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Motasem Hamdan
- School of Public Health, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestine
| | - Abdulwahab Abuderman
- College of Medicine, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Kanami Tsuno
- School of Health Innovation, Kanagawa University of Human Services, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Martin Voracek
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, School of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Wiener Werkstaette for Suicide Research, Vienna, Austria
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14
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Park J, Joshanloo M, Scheifinger H. Predictors of life satisfaction in a large nationally representative Japanese sample. SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH 2019; 82:45-58. [PMID: 31300083 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssresearch.2019.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Life satisfaction (LS), as a major indicator of subjective well-being, is a rapidly growing concern all over the world. Despite their country's powerful economic status, Japanese people experience relatively low levels of LS. This paper investigates demographic, social and psychological variables associated with Japanese people's life evaluation, and identifies important factors in each age and gender group. Using a representative annual survey of Japanese respondents, we find that material well-being (household income satisfaction, satisfaction with standards of living) is most strongly associated with LS. Other factors such as marital status, affective experience, and education, are also significant predictors. The data show that LS decreases over the life course and that individuals in late adulthood are the least satisfied with their lives. Furthermore, there is evidence that a gender gap exists for levels of LS at each stage of life. We identify important factors associated with LS across gender and age groups and, overall, our intensive analysis of a wide range of potential factors provides a comprehensive model of life evaluation in Japan. We conclude with the argument that follow-up studies will benefit from a consideration of key social issues in the context of Japanese society such as relative wealth, ageing, and gender inequality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joonha Park
- Graduate School of Management, NUCB Business School, Japan.
| | | | - Heinz Scheifinger
- College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Zayed University, United Arab Emirates.
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15
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Krys K, Uchida Y, Oishi S, Diener E. Open society fosters satisfaction: explanation to why individualism associates with country level measures of satisfaction. THE JOURNAL OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/17439760.2018.1557243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kuba Krys
- Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Institute of Psychology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Yukiko Uchida
- Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shigehiro Oishi
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Ed Diener
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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16
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Wu MS, Zhou C, Chen H, Cai H, Sundararajan L. Cultural value mismatch in urbanizing China: A large-scale analysis of collectivism and happiness based on social media and nationwide survey. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2018; 53 Suppl 2:54-63. [PMID: 30239987 DOI: 10.1002/ijop.12523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Throughout history, collectivism has contributed much to social bonding and human wellness. However, it remains unclear whether the collectivism-wellness equation still applies, when there is a mismatch between the collectivistic values and the ecological environment of urbanisation. Testing the hypothesis of cultural value mismatch (e.g., high urbanised & high collectivistic, or low urbanised & low collectivistic), two studies were designed to examine the relationship between collectivism and emotional wellbeing in China, with urbanisation as moderator. Based on the emotion analysis of tweets among 1.6 millions of Weibo users, Study 1 found that the province-level collectivism scores were significantly and positively related to negative emotions in high urbanised provinces, but this relationship was not significant in low or middle urbanised provinces. Using a nationwide survey dataset, Study 2 showed that, on the individual level, those with higher collectivism reported less negative emotions, but only in low- and middle-urbanised provinces, not in high-urbanised provinces. On positive emotions in all areas, the positive effect of collectivism was observed on individual level, but not on province level. These findings support the value mismatch hypothesis of urbanisation, suggesting that the purchasing power of collectivism on wellbeing is compromised in urbanising China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Shengtao Wu
- Institute of Communication, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chan Zhou
- School of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.,Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Social Psychology, School of Zhou Enlai School of Government, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Huajian Cai
- Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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17
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Ito A, Gobel MS, Uchida Y. Leaders in Interdependent Contexts Suppress Nonverbal Assertiveness: A Multilevel Analysis of Japanese University Club Leaders' and Members' Rank Signaling. Front Psychol 2018; 9:723. [PMID: 29904361 PMCID: PMC5991138 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous research has shown that leadership is signaled through nonverbal assertiveness. However, those studies have been mostly conducted in individualistic cultural contexts, such as in the U.S. Here, we suggest that one important strategy for goal attainment in collectivistic cultures is for leaders to self-regulate their behaviors. Thus, contrary to the previous evidence from individualistic cultural contexts, in collectivistic cultural contexts, leaders might suppress nonverbal assertiveness. To test this possibility, we assessed nonverbal behaviors (NVB) of Japanese leaders and members, and how they were evaluated by observers. We recruited Japanese leaders and members of university clubs and video-recorded them while introducing their club. Then, we coded their nonverbal rank signaling behavior. Finally, we asked a new set of naïve observers to watch these video-clips and to judge targets' suitability for being possible club leaders. Results of a multilevel analysis (level 1: individual participants, level 2: clubs) suggested that the more the club culture focused on tasks (rather than relationships), the more likely were leaders (but not members) of those clubs to suppress their nonverbal assertiveness. Naïve observers judged individuals who restrained from emitting nonverbal assertiveness as being more suitable and worthy club leaders. Thus, our findings demonstrate the cultural fit between contextual effects at the collective level (i.e., cultural orientation of a group) and the signaling and perceiving of social ranks at the individual level (i.e., suppression of nonverbal assertiveness). We discuss the importance of studying the cultural fit between the collective reality that people inhabit and people's psychology for future research in cultural psychology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsuki Ito
- Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Matthias S Gobel
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Sage Center for the Study of the Mind, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Yukiko Uchida
- Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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18
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Arpaci I, Baloğlu M, Kesici Ş. The relationship among individual differences in individualism-collectivism, extraversion, and self-presentation. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2017.09.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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19
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An Interdependence Approach to Empathic Concern for Disability and Accessibility: Effects of Gender, Culture, and Priming Self-Construal in Japan and New Zealand. JOURNAL OF PACIFIC RIM PSYCHOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1017/prp.2017.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
An interdependence approach to empathic concern could transform the current societal environment for people with disability into a more accessible and equitable one. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate two possible factors influencing empathic concern, gender and ethnic culture, in specific helping scenarios. We first examined whether the female gender and collectivist culture of Japan were associated with higher levels of interdependence and empathic concern for disability than were the male gender and individualist culture of New Zealand. Empathic concern for people with impairment was assessed in accessible and inaccessible environments. Neither gender nor culture significantly influenced the level of interdependence, whereas gender and culture differentially moderated empathic concern. We also explored the possibility of altering self-construal and thus promoting prosocial behaviour by examining the correlation between self-construal and prosocial intention, and the effect of cultural priming on self-construal. The correlation was significant under inaccessible conditions in the Japanese sample, and the effect of interdependent priming was not significant on interdependent self-construal in both countries. Discussion centres on theoretical implications of the observed conditional support for the female-gender and collectivist-culture hypotheses, and on ways to promote prosocial behaviour, taking into account gender and cultural differences.
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20
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Varnum MEW, Grossmann I. Cultural Change: The How and the Why. PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2017; 12:956-972. [DOI: 10.1177/1745691617699971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
More than half a century of cross-cultural research has demonstrated group-level differences in psychological and behavioral phenomena, from values to attention to neural responses. However, cultures are not static, with several specific changes documented for cultural products, practices, and values. How and why do societies change? Here we juxtapose theory and insights from cultural evolution and social ecology. Evolutionary approaches enable an understanding of the how of cultural change, suggesting transmission mechanisms by which the contents of culture may change. Ecological approaches provide insights into the why of cultural change: They identify specific environmental pressures, which evoke shifts in psychology and thereby enable greater precision in predictions of specific cultural changes based on changes in ecological conditions. Complementary insights from the ecological and cultural evolutionary approaches can jointly clarify the process by which cultures change. We end by discussing the relevance of cultural change research for the contemporary societal shifts and by highlighting several critical challenges and future directions for the emerging field of cross-temporal research on culture and psychology.
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21
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Honda H, Kawaharada M, Shindo Y, Tanaka R, Nakajima A, Nimura Y. Social capital in Japan: What characteristics do public health nurses see in their communities? Jpn J Nurs Sci 2017; 15:135-145. [PMID: 28707390 DOI: 10.1111/jjns.12178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Revised: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
AIM A concept of social capital that accounts for a community's cultural background and incorporates social capital into public health nursing practice are needed. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of social capital in the context of public health nursing in Japan. METHODS The study interviewed 11 veteran public health nurses from five municipalities across Japan and undertook a qualitative research analysis. A digital voice recorder was used to collect qualitative data by using a background data sheet and semistructured interviews. Trustworthiness in interpreting the data was ensured by conducting 13 additional interviews with residents and collating the two sets of results. RESULTS All the participants were female: 10 were veterans with ≥15 years' experience. Nine worked in management. The methods yielded six categories: (i) the richness of the interactions among the residents; (ii) the community residents who showed concern for those in need; (iii) community civic activities; (iv) the residents' willingness to contribute to the community; (v) the health promotion volunteers who work alongside the public health nurses; and (vi) an enriched community environment. CONCLUSION The results contribute to an understanding of social capital in the context of public health nursing activities and further research on social capital. It also is discussed how social capital can be incorporated into public health nursing activities in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hikaru Honda
- School of Nursing, Sapporo City University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Mariko Kawaharada
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University of Science, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yukari Shindo
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Rie Tanaka
- School of Nursing, Sapporo City University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Ayaka Nakajima
- Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yuki Nimura
- Sapporo Municipal Health Center, Sapporo, Japan
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22
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Ogihara Y. Temporal Changes in Individualism and Their Ramification in Japan: Rising Individualism and Conflicts with Persisting Collectivism. Front Psychol 2017; 8:695. [PMID: 28588512 PMCID: PMC5440576 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Many studies have shown that American culture has become more individualistic over time. However, it was unclear whether other cultures, especially East Asian cultures, have also shifted toward greater individualism. Therefore, this article reviewed studies investigating temporal changes in individualism in Japan and their ramifications on psychology and behavior. Japan has experienced rapid and dramatic economic growth and urbanization and has adopted more social systems based on individualistic concepts in various contexts (e.g., workplace, school). Recent studies have suggested that, along with these socioeconomic changes, Japanese culture has become more individualistic over time. Specifically, the divorce rate increased and household size decreased. Moreover, people give more unique names to their children and dogs, and individualistic words such as "individual" and "uniqueness" appear more frequently in newspapers. Furthermore, social values became more individualistic. Yet, it has also been shown that some collectivistic values still remain. As a result, people have difficulty in adapting to this coexistence, which injures interpersonal relationships and well-being. This paper discussed how Japanese culture changed over time and how such changes affected Japanese psychology and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Ogihara
- Department of Cognitive Psychology in Education, Graduate School of Education, Kyoto UniversityKyoto, Japan.,Department of Psychology, University of California, Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA, USA
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23
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Ishii K. Online communication with strong ties and subjective well-being in Japan. COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2016.09.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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24
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Relationship-Building Skills of Child-Rearing Mothers in Japanese Communities. Nurs Res Pract 2016; 2016:9091039. [PMID: 27429804 PMCID: PMC4939190 DOI: 10.1155/2016/9091039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2015] [Revised: 04/15/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This study elucidated the skills of mothers who used to build positive interpersonal relationships with people they met through child-rearing. The research method was qualitative descriptive study. The participants were 24 mothers who had children between ages of one and four years. These participants were recruited at child-rearing salons and childcare centers located in various municipalities in Japan. The survey period was from September 2013 to July 2014. The mothers' interpersonal relationship-building skills were described by six categories: “ability to strive for new encounters,” “ability to try to interact socially with others,” “ability to choose compatible people,” “ability to continuously maintain good relationships,” “ability to take action suitable to a situation,” and “ability to build positive relationships with parents-in-law.” Cognitive aspects of assessing and understanding the interactions that occur during exchanges and behavioral aspects guided by these cognitions were identified within these skills. This study contributed to providing a framework to understand mothers' interpersonal relationship-building skills for public health nurses involved in child-rearing support.
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25
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Kinnunen M, Mian SQ, Oinas-Kukkonen H, Riekki J, Jutila M, Ervasti M, Ahokangas P, Alasaarela E. Wearable and mobile sensors connected to social media in human well-being applications. TELEMATICS AND INFORMATICS 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tele.2015.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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26
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Uchida Y, Oishi S. The Happiness of Individuals and the Collective. JAPANESE PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/jpr.12103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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27
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Ogihara Y, Fujita H, Tominaga H, Ishigaki S, Kashimoto T, Takahashi A, Toyohara K, Uchida Y. Are common names becoming less common? The rise in uniqueness and individualism in Japan. Front Psychol 2015; 6:1490. [PMID: 26557100 PMCID: PMC4613833 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We examined whether Japanese culture has become more individualistic by investigating how the practice of naming babies has changed over time. Cultural psychology has revealed substantial cultural variation in human psychology and behavior, emphasizing the mutual construction of socio-cultural environment and mind. However, much of the past research did not account for the fact that culture is changing. Indeed, archival data on behavior (e.g., divorce rates) suggest a rise in individualism in the U.S. and Japan. In addition to archival data, cultural products (which express an individual’s psyche and behavior outside the head; e.g., advertising) can also reveal cultural change. However, little research has investigated the changes in individualism in East Asia using cultural products. To reveal the dynamic aspects of culture, it is important to present temporal data across cultures. In this study, we examined baby names as a cultural product. If Japanese culture has become more individualistic, parents would be expected to give their children unique names. Using two databases, we calculated the rate of popular baby names between 2004 and 2013. Both databases released the rankings of popular names and their rates within the sample. As Japanese names are generally comprised of both written Chinese characters and their pronunciations, we analyzed these two separately. We found that the rate of popular Chinese characters increased, whereas the rate of popular pronunciations decreased. However, only the rate of popular pronunciations was associated with a previously validated collectivism index. Moreover, we examined the pronunciation variation of common combinations of Chinese characters and the written form variation of common pronunciations. We found that the variation of written forms decreased, whereas the variation of pronunciations increased over time. Taken together, these results showed that parents are giving their children unique names by pairing common Chinese characters with uncommon pronunciations, which indicates an increase in individualism in Japan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Ogihara
- Department of Cognitive Psychology in Education, Graduate School of Education, Kyoto University Kyoto, Japan ; Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyo Fujita
- Department of Cognitive Psychology in Education, Graduate School of Education, Kyoto University Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Tominaga
- Department of Human Coexistence, Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University Kyoto, Japan
| | - Sho Ishigaki
- Faculty of Education, Kyoto University Kyoto, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Yukiko Uchida
- Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University Kyoto, Japan
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Cabello R, Fernandez-Berrocal P. Under which conditions can introverts achieve happiness? Mediation and moderation effects of the quality of social relationships and emotion regulation ability on happiness. PeerJ 2015; 3:e1300. [PMID: 26500814 PMCID: PMC4614904 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.1300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Personality traits have been directly associated with happiness. One consistent finding is a strong link between extraversion and happiness: extraverts are happier than introverts. Although happy introverts exist, it is currently unclear under what conditions they can achieve happiness. The present study analyzes, generally, how the quality of social relationships and emotion regulation ability influence happiness and, specifically, how these factors can lead introverts to be happy. In the present study, 1,006 participants aged 18-80 (42% males) completed measures of extraversion, neuroticism, quality of social relationships, emotion regulation ability, and happiness. We found that extraverts had significantly higher happiness, quality of social relationships and emotion regulation ability scores than introverts. In addition, people with high quality social relationships or high emotion regulation ability were happier. Serial mediation analyses indicated that greater levels of extraversion were associated with greater happiness, with small effect size, via two indirect mechanisms: (a) higher quality of social relationships, and (b) higher quality of social relationships followed serially by higher emotion regulation ability. We also found a moderating effect due to the three-way interaction of extraversion, quality of social relationships, and emotion regulation ability: introverts were happier when they had high scores for these two variables, though the effect size was small. These results suggest that the quality of social relationships and emotion regulation ability are relevant to our understanding of complex associations between extraversion and happiness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Cabello
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education Science, University Castilla-La Mancha , Ciudad Real , Spain
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29
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Uchida Y, Norasakkunkit V. The NEET and Hikikomori spectrum: Assessing the risks and consequences of becoming culturally marginalized. Front Psychol 2015; 6:1117. [PMID: 26347667 PMCID: PMC4540084 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Accepted: 07/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
An increasing number of young people are becoming socially and economically marginalized in Japan under economic stagnation and pressures to be more globally competitive in a post-industrial economy. The phenomena of NEET/Hikikomori (occupational/social withdrawal) have attracted global attention in recent years. Though the behavioral symptoms of NEET and Hikikomori can be differentiated, some commonalities in psychological features can be found. Specifically, we believe that both NEET and Hikikomori show psychological tendencies that deviate from those governed by mainstream cultural attitudes, values, and behaviors, with the difference between NEET and Hikikomori being largely a matter of degree. In this study, we developed a NEET-Hikikomori Risk Factors (NHR) scale that treats NEET/Hikikomori not as a set of distinct diagnoses, but as a spectrum of psychological tendencies associated with the risk of being marginalized in society. Based on this idea, we identified three related risk factors in our NHR spectrum scale: (1) Freeter lifestyle preference, which in Japan refers to the tendency to consciously choose to not work despite job availabilities, (2) a lack of self-competence, and (3) having unclear ambitions for the future (Study 1). Study 2 investigated and confirmed the validity of the scale by examining NHR differences between occupational groups. The results suggested that NHR is related to psychological tendencies common in the marginalized segments of society. The relationship between these psychological tendencies and actually becoming marginalized across cultures is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukiko Uchida
- Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto UniversityKyoto, Japan
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Hitokoto H, Tanaka-Matsumi J. Living in the tide of change: explaining Japanese subjective health from the socio-demographic change. Front Psychol 2014; 5:1221. [PMID: 25400604 PMCID: PMC4212602 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Today, countries around the world are caught in the tide of change toward Gesellshaft, or individualistic socio-demographic condition. Recent investigations in Japan have suggested negative impacts of change on emotional and motivational aspects of the Japanese self (Norasakkunkit et al., 2012; Ogihara and Uchida, 2014). Building on previous findings, in Study 1, we measured socio-demographic change toward individualistic societal condition during 1990-2010-two decades marked by great economic recession-at the levels of prefecture and city using archival data. In Study 2, we tested whether Japanese adults' general health, satisfaction with life, self-esteem, and perceived social support were negatively predicted by the change using social survey. Results of hierarchical linear modeling showed small but unique negative effects of the change on several health measures, suggesting that this change had an impact on health, above and beyond individual personality traits, and demographics. Additionally, interdependent happiness, the type of cultural happiness grounded in interdependence of the self (Hitokoto and Uchida, 2014), showed an independent positive relationship with all aspects of health examined. Implications for health studies in changing socio-demographic condition are discussed in the context of Japanese society after economic crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidefumi Hitokoto
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kwansei Gakuin University Nishinomiya city, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Junko Tanaka-Matsumi
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kwansei Gakuin University Nishinomiya city, Hyogo, Japan
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Social orientation and diabetes-related distress in Japanese and American patients with type 2 diabetes. PLoS One 2014; 9:e109323. [PMID: 25333692 PMCID: PMC4198084 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2014] [Accepted: 08/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Recent evidence in cultural and social psychology suggests Eastern cultures' emphasis on harmony and connection with others and Western cultures' emphasis on self-direction and autonomy. In Eastern society, relational harmony is closely linked to people's well-being. The impact of this cultural and social orientation on diabetes-related distress was investigated. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Japanese and American patients with type 2 diabetes were surveyed by well-established questionnaire in Japan and in the United States, respectively. The association of personal values for interdependence, perceived emotional support, and the Problem Areas in Diabetes scale (PAID) were analyzed. RESULTS A positive correlation between interdependence and PAID (r = 0.18; P = 0.025) and a negative correlation between perceived emotional support and PAID (r = - 0.24; P = 0.004) were observed after adjustments for other factors in Japanese data (n = 149), but not in American data (r = 0.00; P = 0.990, r = 0.02; P = 0.917, respectively, n = 50). In Japanese data, the three-factor structure of PAID (negative feelings about total life with diabetes, about living conditions with diabetes, and about treatment of diabetes) was identified, and interdependence showed significant positive correlations with the first and second factors and perceived emotional support showed significant negative correlations with all three factors of PAID. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that personal values for interdependence may be linked to the level of diabetes-related distress and that the distress may be relieved by perception of emotional support, especially in an interdependent cultural context.
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OGIHARA Y, UCHIDA Y, KUSUMI T. HOW DO JAPANESE PERCEIVE INDIVIDUALISM? EXAMINATION OF THE MEANING OF INDIVIDUALISM IN JAPAN. PSYCHOLOGIA 2014. [DOI: 10.2117/psysoc.2014.213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuji OGIHARA
- Department of Cognitive Psychology in Education, Graduate School of Education, Kyoto University
| | | | - Takashi KUSUMI
- Department of Cognitive Psychology in Education, Graduate School of Education, Kyoto University
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