Positive emotions don’t work for Asians—Psychologists

United States, 27th April: Therapies emphasizing role of positive emotions for getting rid of depression and stress are not seemingly working for Asians, findings of a latest study indicate.

Psychologists of the University of Washington maintain that thinking positive thoughts, emphasizing the happy and downplaying of bad does work in white populations for recovering from depression and bringing significant improvements in the overall mental wellbeing of the people.

Western therapies not useful for Asians--According to a UW assistant professor of psychology, Janxin Leu, there is a need to exercise caution in imparting therapies based on Western concepts for relieving the trauma from earthquakes and tsunami.

Asian patients might not benefit from the use of therapies based on positive thinking and emotions. She feels that the condition of the Asians might become worse with the use of such therapies. Such theories are not applicable for Asians, who comprise nearly 60 percent of the total population of the world, the psychologists warn.

Mindfulness therapies could be better for Asians—Leu asserted on the positive role played by mindfulness therapies for Asians suffering from depression. Therapies that stimulate patients to keenly observe both the good and the bad work better for Asians, she maintains.

Apart from the lead author of the study, the co-authors are Kelly Koo and Jennifer Wang, who are pursuing graduation in UW psychology. The study has been published online March 28 in the journal Emotion.

Participants asked to rate depression and stress--The research comprised 633 college students- European Americans, Asian Americans and Asian immigrants. The participants were asked to give ratings to depression and stress felt by them and probable number of times they have felt sad, undergone changes in sleep or appetite or experienced feelings of worthlessness.

Asians reaction towards positive emotions different from White populations—The study found that ratings of the participants towards the feeling of joy, attentiveness, confidence and serenity. Asians did not find any correlation between depression and stress and positive emotions.

For Asians, happiness means that something bad will follow happiness and happiness is flying, admits Leu. For European-American participants, expression of more positive emotions meant less stress or depression.