Emotional Complexity and Cultural Differences: Addressing the Gap in Mental Health Treatments

In Dr. Silton’s article “Regulating Positive Emotions: Implications for Promoting Well-Being in Individuals with Depression” there is a strong emphasis on one’s ability to regulate positive emotions and how it can significantly influence mental health and general well-being. According to current clinical psychology research similar to that of Dr. Silton’s, there is a compelling need to develop interventions and strategies that focus on enhancing the regulation of positive emotions to combat mental illnesses such as depression effectively. For example, interventions like “savoring” that involves maintaining and enhancing positive experiences can play a significant role in mitigating depressive mental health symptoms. 

            Researchers have considered more inclusive approaches to addressing mental health and all of its components. In the article, “A Socio-Cultural Instrumental Approach to Emotion Regulation: Culture and the Regulation of Positive Emotions” sociocultural aspects are considered to understand and develop a diverse approach to mental health treatment (Ma et al., 2018). In addition, cultural backgrounds are addressed when considering how they significantly influence the ability and preference to savor positive emotions. According to this article, “cultural differences in the regulation of positive emotions may be driven by both hedonic (i.e., the motivation to feel good) and instrumental (i.e., the motivation to succeed in an upcoming task) motivation” (Ma et al., 2018). Thus, due to cultural differences, Asians might not savor positive emotions as much as Europeans or Americans after certain positive experiences. Belief systems vary across different communities which is why it is important to understand or acknowledge these differences when considering how to address mental health treatments. 

            Emotional complexity is also addressed amongst different cultures and should be underscored when implementing treatments to mental health illnesses across various communities. In the article, “Emotional Complexity: Clarifying Definitions and Cultural Correlates”, a distinction is made between emotional dialecticism which is the simultaneous experience of positive and negative emotions and emotional differentiation which is the capacity to experience a range of distinct emotions (Grossmann et al., 2016). Considering this emotional complexity and individual differences has yet to be fully immersed in the field of clinical psychology. In order to effectively treat individuals from different backgrounds and beliefs, there needs to be further assessments that are inclusive of these cultural components. Thus, by promoting inclusivity and individual attention, we can improve mental health outcomes for all populations. 

References

Grossmann, I., Huynh, A. C., & Ellsworth, P. C. (2016). Emotional complexity: Clarifying definitions and cultural correlates. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 111(6), 895–916. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspp0000084
Ma, X., Tamir, M., & Miyamoto, Y. (2018). A socio-cultural instrumental approach to emotion regulation: Culture and the regulation of positive emotions. Emotion, 18(1), 138–152. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000315
Silton, R. L., Kahrilas, I. J., Skymba, H. V., Smith, J., Bryant, F. B., & Heller, W. (2020). Regulating positive emotions: Implications for promoting well-being in individuals with depression. Emotion (Washington, D.C.), 20(1), 93–97. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000675