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Literature Review Report – UNSDG Report 13

Literature Review Report

Roger Ince
University of Baltimore
PSYC 435.001 FA23
Dr. Sharon Glazer
November 27, 2023
Assignment: Cross-Cultural Psychology in Relation to UNSDG Report

Title

Mental health and well-being have become increasingly important topics as more societies face rising levels of stress, anxiety, and depression (World Health Organization, 2020). “Exposure to unfavorable social, economic, geopolitical and environmental circumstances including poverty, violence, inequality and environmental deprivation – also increases people’s risk of experiencing mental health conditions” (World Health Organization, 2022). Understanding cultural influences on mental health is critical to promoting resilience on a global scale. This literature review explores cultural factors influencing stress and coping in order to support United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UNSDG) 3.4, which aims to “...reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being by 2030.”

Literature Review

Country/Region 1: China

Overview of Cultural Context

Chinese culture emphasizes in interconnectedness and social harmony. Collectivism, family obligations, and maintaining “face” are important values (Chen & Li, 2017 ).

Relevant Studies on Psychological Topics

A study by Cheng et al. (2014) surveyed 475 Chinese adults was vital to what??. It found that collectivistic coping strategies like seeking social support from family were most commonly used. They are effective for managing daily stressors. Another study by Si et al. (2016) examined coping among 388 Chinese university students and determined that emotion-focused coping was linked to lower perceived stress.

Key Findings on Cultural Influences

China’s emphasis on collectivism and harmonious relationships in Chinese culture (CITE) means that coping strategies are vital . suggests that Chinese people are likely to prioritize social support from family and support mechanisms that maintain interdependence. Expressing and sharing stress with family enables coping via strong, trusted relationships aligned with cultural values.

China has been undergoing a rapid change where there is an economic growth rate of 7.5-13.0% per annum in the last ten years. The increase in wealth has not been equitable between the rich and poor and this in itself has increased mental health issues.

Country/Region 2: United States

Overview of Cultural Context

American culture promotes independence, individualism, and self-reliance. Assertiveness and direct verbal communication are valued (Markus & Kitayama, 1991) .

Relevant studies on psychological topics:

A national survey by the American Psychological Association (APA, 2018) found that over half of adults in the USA experience physical or emotional symptoms of stress, such as fatigue (57%), anger (52%), and anxiety (49%) daily. Stress levels are especially high among younger generations.

Key findings on cultural influences

The emphasis on personal agency and autonomy in US culture corresponds with relying more on problem-focused coping, like active coping and planning to directly address stressors individually (CITE). Coping by openly expressing emotions is also more common in the USA (than in China) and aligned with cultural norms emphasizing independence (CITE).

Country/Region 3: Ghana

Overview of cultural context

Ghanaian culture highly values social bonds, community, and spirituality. Elders play an important role, and respect, compliance, cooperation, and conformity are important values (Abubakar et al., 2016).

Relevant studies on psychological topics

A study of 311 Ghanaians by Obeng et al. (2016) found that religious coping practices like prayer and faith were the most frequently used and effective forms of coping with stress. Commonly reported stressors were health, family, and financial issues.

Key findings on cultural influences

The communal aspects of Ghanaian culture mean that coping strategies centering on social ties, faith, cooperation, and guidance from respected elders are highly congruent approaches. Spiritual and collective coping (DEFINE) align well with cultural priorities on relationships and tradition. The World Health Organization (2007) quoted Sammy Ohene, senior lecturer and head of the department of psychiatry at the University of Ghana Medical School, who stated that “the treatment gap for mental health disorders in Ghana... is estimated to be more than 98 percent.”

Synthesis of Cultural Similarities and Differences Across Regions

While study results from each of the three countries showed the use of both problem-focused and emotion-focused coping, preferred? strategies employed varied depending on cultural emphasis on individualism versus collectivism. Collectivistic cultures tended to utilize social support and connection as highly valued coping approaches.

Implications

Give a leading sentence here, e.g., The topic relates directly to achieving UNSDG goal 3.4, which aims to boost well-being worldwide. Effective coping abilities directly impact mental health and resilience when facing stressors. Promoting positive coping skills on a global scale can thus aid the UNSDG 3.4.

Current gaps in the literature are that traditional Western models of coping and interventions often fail to account for cultural factors and backgrounds (CITE). A “one-size-fits-all” approach neglects how coping naturally varies cross culturally.

An opportunity for a culturally informed strategy includes tailoring programs and resources to be compatible with local cultural values, such as incorporating social support in East Asian communities or spiritual elements in African nations (CITE, CITE). Matching coping approaches with cultural values can potentially maximize benefits (CITE). Being able to understand cultural similarities and differences in coping presents opportunities to develop truly globally sensitive solutions.

Recommendations

In this section, I present....

Recommendation 1 for policymakers and organizations: Develop a global stress and coping survey to gather cross-cultural data on challenges that are faced, and strategies used (CITE). National and international agencies can then target resources appropriately based on localized needs to assist with mental health.

Recommendation 2 for healthcare professionals: Provide needed training on varied cultural conceptualizations of stress and diverse coping approaches that will benefit the community (CITE). Doctors and clinicians can better serve clients’ mental health by considering their perspectives within socio-cultural backgrounds.

Recommendation 3 for community level interventions: There needs to be designed grassroots programs that are aligned with communal cultural values like ‘sharing circles’ (DEFINE) in indigenous communities or bringing elders and cultural symbols into coping skill building classes. A bottom-up approach ensures relevance and maximum engagement. Tailoring strategies to cultural norms at multiple societal levels can help strengthen natural cultural resilience processes and promote accessible, stigma free coping globally (CITE).

Discussions

Alignment of Recommendations with UNSDG Goal

The recommendations aim to develop culturally-informed support systems, increasing sustainable global access to effective coping resources and bolstering mental well-being as targeted by UNSDG 3.4.

Potential contributions to global well-being

A culturally-sensitive approach could help reduce disproportionate stress burden in less supported nations and empower local resilience processes. Normalizing diverse strategies may also help fight stigma .

Considerations for implementation

Partnerships with community leaders and validation of methods are important to ensure no unintended consequences from external interventions (CITE). Resources may need tailoring to specific cultural and economic conditions.

Limitations and future directions

Only three countries were reviewed due to scope. Additional research validating models is still needed. Longitudinal studies could better evaluate impacts on wellness over time and continued efforts to promote coping skills variations can improve well-being worldwide.

Conclusions

Stress and coping are shaped by cultural values like individualism versus collectivism (CITE). While problems and emotions are universal, the strategies utilized vary greatly cross-culturally (CITE). A one size fits all approach neglects how coping naturally emerges within local contexts (CITE). Validating diverse perspectives maximizes the benefits of interventions promoting resilience (CITE). As stress inevitably remains part of the human condition worldwide, prioritizing culturally sensitive solutions holds promise for boosting wellness globally in line with the UNSDG aim (CITE). Policymakers, organizations, professionals, and communities must collaborate to strengthen culturally-congruent support systems accessible to people regardless of background. Finally, understanding cultural commonalities and variations presents opportunities to empower grassroots coping processes for healthier, happier, and more inclusive societies everywhere.

References

American Psychological Association (APA). (2018, October 11). Stress in America: Generation Z. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2018/stress-gen-z.pdf

Chen, F. F., & Li, A. W. (2017). Beyond collectivism and individualism: Conceptualization and measurement of societal culture in China. Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 20(1), 20-32.

Cheng, C., Lau, H.-P., & Chan, M.-P. (2014). Coping flexibility and psychological adjustment to stressful life changes: A meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin, 140(6), 1582–1607. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0037913

Forum on Neuroscience and Nervous System Disorders; Board on Health Sciences Policy; Board on Global Health; Institute of Medicine; National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Providing Sustainable Mental and Neurological Health Care in Ghana and Kenya: Workshop Summary. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2016 Feb 25. 3, Ghana.Available from:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK350306/

Krys, K., Zelenski, J. M., Capaldi, C. A., Park, J., van Tilburg, W., van Osch, Y., ... & Uchida, Y. (2019). Putting the “we” into well‐being: Using collectivism‐themed measures of well‐being attenuates well‐being's association with individualism. Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 22(3), 256-267.

Liu , J., Ma, H., He, Y.- L., Xie, B., Xu, Y. F., Tang, H. Y., Li, M., Hao, W., Wang, X. D., Zhang, M. Y., Ng, C. H., Goding, M., Fraser, J., Herrman, H., Chiu, H. F., Chan, S. S., Chiu, E., Yu, X. (2011). Mental health system in China: History, recent service reform and future challenges. World Psychiatry, 10(3), 210-216. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2051-5545.2011.tb00059.x.

Markus, H. R., & Kitayama, S. (1991). Culture and the self: Implications for cognition, emotion, and motivation. Psychological Review, 98(2), 224–253. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.98.2.224

Ojeleke , O., Groot, W., & Pavlova, M. (2020). Care delivery among refugees and internally displaced persons affected by complex emergencies: a systematic review of the literature. Journal of Public Health, VOLUME, 1-16. URL??

World Health Organization. (2020, November 9). Mental Health. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response

World Health Organization. (2022, June 17). Mental Health. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response