Culture and the self: implications for the perception of depression by Australian and Vietnamese nursing students

Abstract

The theoretical influence of self-concept on cognitive and emotional aspects of behaviour was tested in an exploratory survey of 187 Australian and Vietnamese student nurse participants. Symptoms of depression were depicted in either a family scenario or a context-free list and were rated for perceived depression utilizing the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 (HSCL-25). Narrative data were also obtained. Australians perceived significantly more depression than the Vietnamese who normalized the behaviours. There was a significant interaction between culture and the context of depression, whereby the Vietnamese, in contrast with the Australians, perceived greater depression in the family scenario than in the list. Thematic analysis of narrative data assisted interpretation by revealing Vietnamese themes of family and disruption of social harmony, philosophical and temporal approach to life and judgementalism. Australians were more focused on individual concerns such as psychological disturbance and the need for independence. Implications for transcultural nursing were drawn.

The expression of depression among Javanese patients with major depressive disorder: A concept mapping study

“…"Not having feelings of altruism to others" (54) may also act as a deficit in social contexts. These findings reflect collective and social constructions of the self-concept (Fry & Nguyen, 1996) and the importance of connection with others and fulfillment of responsibilities that are commonly associated with positive feelings in collective cultures (Tanaka-Matsumi, 2001). kurang perhatian terhadap orang lain (no feeling of altruism to others / lack of attention to others) 56 mencari persetujuan kepada orang lain (seeking agreement to others)…”

“…In addition to the themes described above, there was a notable absence of themes of self-fulfillment, autonomy, and personal accomplishment that are clearly evident in Western presentations of depression (Fry & Nguyen, 1996;TanakaMatsumi, 2001). This may be attributed to the high cultural and personal value placed on an individual's role within a social context as opposed to individual achievement in Indonesia (Fry & Nguyen, 1996;Wong, Kim, Zane, Kim, & Huang, 2003).…”

“…This may be attributed to the high cultural and personal value placed on an individual's role within a social context as opposed to individual achievement in Indonesia (Fry & Nguyen, 1996;Wong, Kim, Zane, Kim, & Huang, 2003).…”

Expression and Treatment of Depression among Haitian Immigrant Women in the United States: Clinical Observations

“…This study revealed that the Vietnamese students believed that a "superior person" would not allow troubling thoughts or emotions to overtake his/her life. The researchers describe this belief in comparison with Australian students, who identify with Western belief systems, and do not subscribe to the notion of control over one's feelings versus seeking help for suffering (Fry & Nguyen, 1996). The results of Fry's and Nguyen's (1996) study illustrate, one way culture can affect an individual's understanding and experience of depression.…”

“…For example, in a comparative study of Australian and Vietnamese nursing students' perceptions of depression, Fry and Nguyen (1996) found that culture and self-concept influenced the experience of depression. This study revealed that the Vietnamese students believed that a "superior person" would not allow troubling thoughts or emotions to overtake his/her life.…”