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Culture and Social Support: Who Seeks It and Why?

Year: 2004

Type: article

Abstract: Are Asians and Asian Americans more or less likely to seek social support for dealing with stress than European Americans? On the one hand, the collectivist orientation of Asian countries might favor the sharing of stressful problems; on the other hand, efforts to maintain group harmony might discourage such efforts. In 2 studies, Koreans (Study 1) and Asians and Asian Americans in the United States (Study 2) reported using social support less for coping with stress than European Americans. Study 3 examined potential explanations for these effects and revealed that relationship concerns accounted for the cultural differences in use of support seeking. Discussion centers on the potential benefits and liabilities of seeking social support.

Source: Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

DOI: 10.1037/0022-3514.87.3.354

Authors: Shelley E. Taylor, David K. Sherman, Heejung S. Kim, Johanna Jarcho, Kaori Takagi, Melissa S. Dunagan

Institutions: University of California, Los Angeles, University of California, Santa Barbara

Language: English

Topic: Cultural Differences and Values

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: U.S. Public Health Service