ISSN: 2167-1044
Department of Psychology, The University of British Columbia, Canada
Dr. Rowena Kong is currently serving at the Department of Psychology established under University of British Columbia located in Canada. He has authored many publications, received several citations and attended the conferences.
Review
Interdependence and Depression: Does an Interdependent Culture Provide Effective Buffer Against Depression?
Author(s): Rowena Kong*
This literature review examines the cultural factor which potentially contributes to the difference between high rates
of depression in Western nations and significantly lower rates in the East. Somatisation of depressive symptoms by
the Chinese is addressed and attempted to be explained from the perspective of emotion as a relational component
of self as opposed to residing discretely within a person. The possibility of an interdependent cultural environment
which provides a buffer against the higher risk of depression amongst Asians as observed from their greater frequency
of serotonin transporter polymorphism genotype may explain the low prevalence of depression in East-Asian
countries. The lower risk-taking tendency of East Asians, promoted by interdependent cultural philosophy and
mediated by increased amygdala reactivity, may serve as an additional me.. View More»
DOI:
10.35248/2167-1044.19.8.346