Journal of Depression and Anxiety
Open Access

Department of Psychology, The University of British Columbia, Canada

Publications

• 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

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