Cross- Cultural Psychology Lecture 9. Aspects of Abnormal

Cross- Cultural Psychology Lecture 9. Aspects of Abnormal Psychology across cultures. The meaning of cross-cultural differences in psychopathology. Cultures and schizophrenia Depression disorders in other cultures. Alcohol abuse and their cultural meaning.

How much do abnormal patterns of behavior and experience vary across cultures? Are these differences basic or trivial? What (except mental disorder) can be realistically compared across culture lines? Are these differences relevant for the practical tasks and treatment across culture lines?

Major study by Hofstede (1980) Analysis of responses of several thousand subjects from over 40 countries of all regions of the world. Individualism – collectivism Uncertainty avoidance Power distance Masculinity – femininity

Individualistic Cultures (US, Western and Northern Europe) Are characterized by INTERNALIZATION of distress, Experience of guilt Chronicity in schizophrenia Predominance of cognitive symptoms Collectivistic Cultures (Japan, China, several Latin-American) are characterized by PSYCHIATRIC SYMPTOMS revolved around specific human relationships.

Psychotherapy (proposal): individualistic  emphasize Self- understanding and insight together With themes of guilt alienation and loneliness. Collectivistic  emphasize A more expressive and close relationship between the therapist and client with the goal of enhancing well-being (rather than self-understanding)

Uncertainty avoidance Association with anxiety Masculine cultures Association with catastrophic responses to failure (suicide)

Psychotherapy (proposal): High need for uncertainty avoidance Scientific and objective explanation Low need for uncertainty avoidance Variety and spontaneity in psychotherapy would prevail and immediate experience would be prized. Psychotherapy (proposal): Masculinity  the therapist would facilitate the client’s adjustment to the culture. Femininity  the therapist would foster the clients self-realization and self-expression in preference to the cultures rules and concerns Power distance  emphasis upon the therapist’s experience (low power distance would go hand in hand with confrontation, improvisation in the conduct of psychotherapy)

Schizophrenia and culture The WHO (world health organization) research team applied and standardized diagnostic schedule in 9 countries (1986): China, Columbia, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, India, Nigeria, USSR, UK, US. Findings: a) common symptoms: Inadequate insight, thinking aloud, poor rapport, incoherent speech, unrealistic info; b) The outcome was more favorable in three centers in developing countries: Colombia, India, Nigeria.

Social pattern of influence on schizophrenia (according to Murphy 1982) Regions characterized by a high rate of schizophrenia exhibited social ambivalence toward its inhabitants, on the one hand pushing them to succeed and emigrate, while, on the other hand, reproaching them for any lapse in loyalty toward their home region.

Depression and culture. Universal components: Lack of energy, inability to concentrate loss of enjoyment, loss of sexual interest, reduced appetite. Cultural variations: Canada, Switzerland, Iran, Japan Sad affect feelings of worthlessness Western countries Guilt feelings China more voicing physical complaints accompanying depression.

Anxiety disorders in other cultures. Japan: syndrome of Social anxiety in young men who are insecure about social status; also transitions from adolescence to adulthood, changes in job or residence – all precipitate this disorder. USA, Canada, other economically developed countries: anorexia nervosa – a syndrome of the affluent society.

Alcohol abuse in cultures The manner in which alcohol consumption is socialized and controlled.

Seminar. Report – ‘Suicide in different cultures’. Try to predict patterns of anxiety disorders, depression, schizophrenia, alcohol abuse and propose therapist’s behavior in Kazakhstan.