Depression is linked to cultural ideologies

Some social psychologists argue that the type of culture plays a significant role in the development of depression. The argument centers around the distinction between individualism and collectivism. People from individualistic cultures such as 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. In contrast, people from collectivist cultures, such as Eastern cultures, are more likely to value social harmony over individuality. They are also more likely to endorse behaviors that increase group cohesion and interdependence relative to people in an individualistic culture. Indeed, individuals in collectivist cultures are genetically more vulnerable to developing depression than those in individualist cultures. However, group support present in collectivist communities seem to protect these genetically vulnerable individuals from the environmental stressors that trigger depressive episodes.^[1] Another explanation is that people from collectivist cultures are not encouraged to place much importance on personal gratification. Hence, they do not spend time feeling frustrated about their failure to achieve personal success. As a result, the lack of focus on the self can lead to a decrease or absence of the development of depressive episodes.^[2] A study by researchers at Northwestern University supports this argument. According to the results of the study, the prevalence of depression is significantly lower in collectivist nations than in individualistic nations. Such a finding is striking since nearly 80% of the population is genetically susceptible to depression in collectivist nations.^[1] Overall, this argument claims that collectivism acts as a protective factor for depression.