Culture and Social Support: Who Seeks It and Why?

TLDR

The study examines whether Asians and Asian Americans differ from European Americans in seeking social support for stress, noting that collectivist cultures may encourage sharing while the desire to maintain group harmony may inhibit it, and highlighting the potential benefits and drawbacks of such support. Both studies found that Koreans and Asian Americans seek social support less for stress than European Americans, and a third study showed that relationship concerns explain these cultural differences.

Abstract

Are Asians and Asian Americans more or less likely to seek social support for dealing with stress than European Americans? On the one hand, the collectivist orientation of Asian countries might favor the sharing of stressful problems; on the other hand, efforts to maintain group harmony might discourage such efforts. In 2 studies, Koreans (Study 1) and Asians and Asian Americans in the United States (Study 2) reported using social support less for coping with stress than European Americans. Study 3 examined potential explanations for these effects and revealed that relationship concerns accounted for the cultural differences in use of support seeking. Discussion centers on the potential benefits and liabilities of seeking social support.