Health & Medicine - Posted by Pat Vaughan Tremmel-NU on Friday, October 30, 2009 15:42 - 12 Comments 
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...‘We’ beats ‘me’ in depression battle
A new study suggests that in collectivistic nations, such as those in East Asia, where nearly 80 percent of the population is genetically susceptible to depression, the actual prevalence of depression is significantly lower than in individualistic nations, such as the United States and Western Europe.
NORTHWESTERN (US)—A genetic vulnerability to depression is much more likely to be realized in cultures with a “me-first” attitude, like the United States and Europe, than in those that promote group cohesion and interdependence.
A study by researchers at Northwestern University took a global look at mental health across social groups and nations and found people across cultural groups differ markedly, in how they think of themselves.
“People from highly individualistic cultures like the United States and Western Europe are more likely to value uniqueness over harmony, expression over agreement, and to define themselves as unique or different from the group,” says Joan Chiao, the lead author of the study and assistant professor of psychology in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences at Northwestern.
In contrast, people from collectivist cultures are more likely to value social harmony over individuality. “Relative to people in an individualistic culture, they are more likely to endorse behaviors that increase group cohesion and interdependence,” Chiao explains.
Individuals in collectivist cultures who are genetically susceptible to depression receive a tacit or explicit expectation of social support. “Such support seems to buffer vulnerable individuals from the environmental risks or stressors that serve as triggers to depressive episodes,” Chiao says.
The study compared genetic frequency information and cultural value data across 29 countries (major European countries as well as South Africa, Eastern Europe, South Asia, East Asia, and South America). Findings were published online in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.
The serotonin transporter gene (STG) that the researchers studied has two variants: a short allele and a long allele. In Western populations, the short allele leads to a phenotype of major depressive episodes when people who carry it experience multiple life stressors.
Previous research shows that nations in the East Asian region have a disproportionate number of short allele carriers, and the Northwestern researchers replicated that finding. They also replicated cultural psychology research demonstrating that nations within East Asia are typically more collectivistic.
What surprised them was the robust association they found between the degree of collectiveness of a particular nation and the degree to which a disproportionate number of people carried the short allele of the STG. Collectivistic nations were found to have significantly more individuals who carry the short allele of the STG.
Even more remarkably, they found, in collectivistic nations, such as those in East Asia, where nearly 80 percent of the population is genetically susceptible to depression, the actual prevalence of depression is significantly lower than in individualistic nations, such as the United States and Western Europe.
Chiao says the research strongly suggests that medical doctors need to work with basic scientists to better understand the complex dance that biology and culture play in both mitigating and causing mood disorders, such as depression.
These research findings suggest that culture-based treatments may be equally if not more effective at reducing the risk for depression.
Medical doctors who embrace scientific findings of global health trends and human cultures may gain invaluable insights about how our genetic heritage and cultural environments affect human behavior, she concludes.
“We need to move away from quick and dirty methods of treatment for depression,” she said, “especially for those genetically susceptible to developing mental illnesses.”
Northwestern University news: www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/
12 Comments
ideonexus.com » Blog Archive » Science Etcetera, Saturnday 20091031
Drogovska
This premise is flawed, and I suspect, has a political agenda. While it may be that you can find more instances of depression in individualistic cultures, it may also be true that there is a trade-off if you choose the “we” culture. Socialist cultures, communistic cultures will tell you what to do. Not much decision making is up to the individual.
It is popular today for touchy-feely people in media to characterize these countries as having social “harmony,” but if you talk to people in these countries, you will find that they would rather have freedom than have their life dictated by the majority.
The study doesn’t say there is NO depression, just a little less. I suspect that having to make decisions for yourself does make some depressed at some point or points in life. But I choose freedom. I will make my own “we” by making friends and keeping them, and by maintaining connections with family and at church. Keep your “we” that seeks to be IMPOSED on us. I choose liberty, thank you.
I have anxiety, cyclothymia and depression. It’s really hard because I’m only thirteen and I often feel like I shouldn’t have to deal with these things. I have to keep reminding myself of all the people who have it worse. But I am dealing with it. I think haha.
Evan
Drogovska, “I will make my own ‘we’” is a very selfish “me” action. We live in a tribal society, most likely you are actively surrounding yourself with people who think and even look like you. Your irrational fear about hidden agendas and having people and beliefs “imposed” upon you is very telling and actually helps to illustrate the findings in the study. This cultural “us vs. them” mentality breeds a vulnerability to anxiety disorders and depression.
manu
that’s a really surprising find!! north western university people have done a splendid job and it looks completely reasonable.
I can tell you as one who lives as an iconoclast that such a life comes at great expense. There is a great cost for not conforming to group rules, and it makes sense that when a person is ostracized that she would be more likely to be depressed, anxious, or both.
Thaddeus
Drogovska Please for once we get some great objective help in solving a really hard problem and you use whats called a subjective view. Every cultural and and political system has some useful things within it. We could learn from them and they could learn from us.I feel you have heard what folks with a certain view have told you you want to hear ,rather then A. good science and B. objective view`s I for one plan to read the full report and follow what comes out of it.Red baiting went out of steam in the 50`s. We need to grow as culture not go back to a time when we had so little Info. we could get. Lets grow together.
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[...] ‘We’ beats ‘me’ in depression battle [...]
Evelyn
After reading the paper, I am confused as to how they came to their conclusion. Yes, East Asian cultures report lower amounts of anxiety and other mental distress, especially when compared to the prevalence of this short allele, but why is this necessarily due to community support through collectivism? Historically, don’t Eastern cultures often view mental illness differently than Western cultures, so could that be a more direct explanation? Or perhaps, there is more pressure in Eastern cultures for individuals to hide symptoms of mental distress, so as to not disrupt their communities. As an Asian American, I have heard that mental illness is underdiagnosed among AA’s, though I don’t know what the current estimates are for Asia itself, much less over the last few centuries.
Nonetheless, I think the results are fascinating, and certainly do call for more study into “culture-based treatment.”
You’re right, panic anxiety may be difficult to dealt with but it’s possible to overcome it. I also found refuge in dealing with panic attacks with with this helpful site
Drogovska is full of shit – if she tells you that communist societies – where the cult of personality raised the beloved leader at God status – were “we” cultures.
Communism as any dictatorship had nothing to do with democratic life and “we”
This “we”is not about political systems this is about family and community values.
Bipolar disorders and not commonly known. Perhaps one reason is because symptoms are often not so severe that one will seek treatment.
Cyclothymics, like those diagnosed bipolar, alternate between depressive and manic phases. Actually, with cyclothymia true mania is not reached. The proper term to describe this phase is hypomanic.
During the depressive phase, cyclothymics experience low confidence, fatigue, negative thoughts and loss of interest in formerly enjoyable activities. During the hypomanic phase confidence returns in excess, though mood may be irritable, sleep difficulties may be present and there are reduced inhibitions.
It is possible that cyclothymia will progress into full bipolar disorder. This illness is usually diagnosed in the teenage or young adult years.
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