Cultural, social, economic, and healthcare system differences influence the understanding and approach to mental health among older adults in the United States and Japan. It's important to note that both countries are diverse, but considerations in addressing mental health among elderly populations in the US and Japan must account for cultural factors, stigma, Collectivism vs. Individualism, social support, and differences in their health care systems. Similarly, cultural expression of distress and coping mechanisms complicate diagnosing mental health conditions. This presentation compares outcomes for Japanese living in Japan and for White and Black adults living in the United States. Using the Survey of Midlife in Japan (MIDJA), a probability sample of Japanese adults from the Tokyo metropolitan area, we will examine measures of stress, depression, and anxiety across two time periods (2008 and 2012) for individuals 50 and older. These measures will be compared to the same age groups in the US using the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) sample for contiguous time periods. Using these studies is appropriate as the MIDJA measures parallel those found in MIDUS. The framework underlying the studies was to test the hypothesis that the construct of interdependence predicts well-being and health in Japan, whereas the construct of independence predicts well-being and health in the United States, allowing the study to control for cultural differences. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine and compare self-reported mental health behaviors between the midlife and elderly populations in these two nations using these data.

Authors:
James McNally, University of Michigan, United States

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Posted by Clive Staples Lewis

Last updated: 2023-02-23 23:45:00

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