Cross-Cultural Insights from Two Global Mental Health Studies: Self-Enhancement and Ingroup Biases

Kotera, Yasuhiro; Ronaldson, Amy; Hayes, Daniel; Hunter-Brown, Holly; McPhilbin, Merly; Dunnett, Danielle; Jebara, Tesnime; Takhi, Simran; Masuda, Takahiko; Camacho, Elizabeth; Bakolis, Ioannis; Repper, Julie; Meddings, Sara; Stergiopoulos, Vicky; Brophy, Lisa; De Ruysscher, Clara; Okoliyski, Michail; Kubinová, Petra; Eplov, Lene; Toernes, Charlotte; Narusson, Dagmar; Tinland, Aurélie; Puschner, Bernd; Hiltensperger, Ramona; Lucchi, Fabio; Miyamoto, Yuki; Castelein, Stynke; Borg, Marit; Klevan, Trude Gøril; Meng, Roger Tan Boon; Sornchai, Chatdanai; Tiengtom, Kruawon; Farkas, Marianne; Jones, Hannah Moreland; Moore, Edith; Butler, Ann; Mpango, Richard; Tse, Samson; Kondor, Zsuzsa; Ryan, Michael; Zuaboni, Gianfranco; Elton, Dan; Grant-Rowles, Jason; McNaughton, Rebecca; Harcla, Claire; Vanderplasschen, Wouter; Arbour, Simone; Silverstone, Denise; Bejerholm, Ulrika; Powell, Candice; Ochoa, Susana; Garcia-Franco, Mar; Tolonen, Jonna; Yeo, Caroline; Charles, Ashleigh; Jepps, Jessica; Simps...

Abstract

This commentary highlights two cross-cultural issues identified from our global mental health (GMH) research, RECOLLECT (Recovery Colleges Characterisation and Testing) 2: self-enhancement and ingroup biases. Self-enhancement is a tendency to maintain and express unrealistically positive self-views. Ingroup biases are differences in one’s evaluation of others belonging to the same social group. These biases are discussed in the context of GMH research using self-report measures across cultures. GMH, a field evolving since its Lancet series introduction in 2007, aims to advance mental health equity and human rights. Despite a 16.5-fold increase in annual GMH studies from 2007 to 2016, cross-cultural understanding remains underdeveloped. We discuss the impact of individualism versus collectivism on self-enhancement and ingroup biases. GMH research using concepts, outcomes, and methods aligned with individualism may give advantages to people and services oriented to individualism. GMH research needs to address these biases arising from cross-cultural differences to achieve its aim.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 19, 2024
• Online Publication Date: May 8, 2024
• Publication Date: May 8, 2024
• Deposit Date: Apr 22, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 22, 2024
• Journal: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
• Print ISSN: 1557-1874
• Electronic ISSN: 1557-1882
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-024-01307-y
• Keywords: self-enhancement; ingroup bias; cross-culture; global mental health; individualism; collectivism
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/34097023
• Publisher URL: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11469-024-01307-y