Cultural Differences in the Perception of Personal Growth Among Adolescents

Abstract

Research shows that some adolescents experience positive psychological changes resulting from highly stressful life events. Because “positive change” is a value-laden concept, there may be cross-cultural differences in this conception of growth. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively and quantitatively assess different perceptions of personal growth across cultures. Adolescents from Japan ( n = 288, Mage = 16.16) and the United States ( n = 155, Mage = 16.21) completed demographic information and wrote three words describing their perception of personal growth. Results showed 443 different words generated, which were condensed into 12 categories. The types of words generated differed between nationalities, with Japanese adolescents generating more words related to social connection, and adolescents in the United States generating words related to change. Gender differences were found in physical change and age differences in the knowledge categories. Results demonstrate cross-cultural differences as well as similarities in the conceptualization of personal growth. Future research may examine how adolescents change the meaning of personal growth after experiencing personal growth resulting from a stressful life event.

Conceptualisations of personal growth in Ghanaian Orthodox Christians

“…The first value of personal growth, that of relationships, is consistent with the experience of an interdependent self (Kitayama et al, 2000). Previous studies on people in other collectivistic cultures also showed conceptualisations of personal growth with strong emphasis on relationships (e.g., Dominick & Taku, 2019). Because Ghanaian Orthodox Christians have strong ties to the collectivistic culture that is indigenous to Ghana, this finding was expected (Hofstede, 2019;Markus & Kitayama, 1991;Meyer, 2004;Omenyo, 2011;Salter & Adams, 2012).…”

“…Research has explored conceptualisations of personal growth in the collectivistic cultures of East Asia and Europe (e.g., Dominick & Taku, 2019), but not beyond these regions (Suh & Oishi, 2004). Ghana is a country in Sub-Saharan Africa with a collectivistic culture (15 on the Individualism index; Hofstede Insights, 2019).…”

Religiosity as a factor of social-emotional resilience and personal growth during the COVID-19 pandemic in Croatian adolescents

“…Research shows that both adolescents and adults experience also positive psychological changes in the face of crises and stressful life experiences, which they define as personal growth (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1996 ; Kilmer et al, 2014 ). The concept of personal growth can take on different meanings in different cultures, as shown by Dominick and Taku’s research ( 2019 ) among Japanese and American adolescents (aged 13–19). Although there are common characteristics that the youth associate with personal growth, Japanese adolescents associate personal growth more with social connection, while American adolescents associate it with change.…”

Gender differences in anger expressions among secondary students

“…Meanwhile, the research of Steele, Elliott, and Phipps [27] demonstrated that Black children display lower levels of anger expressivity and higher levels of anger control compared to White children. The East Asian (Eastern) world tends to be collectivist where each person focuses on the community and group to which they belong, and what is best for everyone over themselves [28]. It leads to a strong support network that assists adolescents convey feelings such as hot-tempered.…”