Abstract

Literature on the cultural psychological aspect of mental health suggests that antecedents of mental health in individualistic cultures, or societies that prioritize independence, autonomy, and personal uniqueness do not always apply in collectivistic cultures, or societies that prioritize interdependence, social connection, interpersonal harmony, and norms. The aim of the present study was to determine the mechanisms underlying the impact of self-stigma on depression and anxiety in a collectivistic culture such as the Philippines. Specifically, this study sought to examine: (1) the mediating role of self-criticism on the impact of self-stigma on depression and anxiety, and (2) the moderating role of interdependent self-construal on the impact of self-criticism on depression and anxiety in Filipinos. Surveys measuring self-stigma, self-criticism, interdependent self-construal, depression, and anxiety symptoms were administered to 312 adolescents in rural communities in the Philippines. Using structural equation modeling, findings revealed indirect effects of self-stigma on both depression and anxiety via self-criticism. Findings confirmed that interdependent self-construal attenuate the detrimental impact of self-criticism on depression and anxiety in collectivistic contexts. This study offers novel insights about the underlying mechanisms that operate in the impact of self-stigma on depression and anxiety symptoms among individuals in collectivist contexts. We highlight that self-criticism may have both adaptive and maladaptive functions in collectivist cultures. The study provides implications on the importance of culturally sensitive clinical interventions in preventing depression and anxiety by combating self-stigma and the negative aspect of self-criticism in collectivist cultures. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

摘要

有关心理健康的文化心理方面的文献表明，个人主义文化或优先考虑独立性，自治和个人独特性的社会中心理健康的先例并不总是适用于集体主义文化或优先考虑相互依赖，社会联系，人际和谐，和规范。本研究的目的是确定在菲律宾等集体文化中，自我耻辱感对抑郁和焦虑产生影响的潜在机制。具体而言，本研究试图检验：（1）自我批评对自我耻辱感对抑郁和焦虑的影响的中介作用，以及（2）相互依存的自我建构对自我批评对人的影响的调节作用。菲律宾人的抑郁和焦虑。衡量自我污名，自我批评，菲律宾农村社区的312名青少年患有相互依存的自我建构，抑郁和焦虑症状。使用结构方程模型，研究结果揭示了自我耻辱感对抑郁和焦虑的间接影响通过自我批评。研究结果证实，相互依存的自我建构减弱了集体主义情境下自我批评对抑郁和焦虑的有害影响。这项研究提供了新的见解，说明在集体主义背景下个体受到耻辱感和焦虑症状影响的潜在机制。我们强调，自我批评在集体主义文化中可能既具有适应性的功能，又具有适应不良的功能。该研究提供了对文化敏感的临床干预措施的重要性，这些干预措施通过对抗自我歧视和在集体主义文化中的自我批评的消极方面来预防抑郁和焦虑。讨论了局限性和未来方向。