2805 – Mapping Conceptual Frames of Healthy Acculturative Self: A Positive Multicultural Psychiatry Perspective

Abstract

Objective:

To conceptualize the characteristics or traits of healthy acculturative self in a global and multicultural society. The self needs to be recapitulated in terms of globally adapting and dynamically changing environment.

Methods:

A meta-analytic method is applied to this study by reviewing research papers, 1990 to 2012, via academic search engines, in the following key words: acculturation and health/self/personality/ identity. Also. the concept of “scientific analogy” (Gentner, 1983, 2003, 2010) is employed.

Results:

Six conceptual frames of healthy acculturative self are summed up as conceptual templates or modules.

1. 1. Resilient Self: The resilient self has the capacity to make best use of resource and to cope with emerging stressors and life crises during acculturation.

2. 2. Globally Adapting Self: The self is able to adapt oneself to globally changing environment.

3. 3. Holistic and Synchronistic Self: The self is able to comprehend cultural information of the past, in the present mode, as one actively confronts culturally different situations.

4. 4. Optimistic Self: The self strives to achieve one's goals and is able to overcome depression or life frustration.

5. 5. Spirituality-oriented Self: The self is open to other religious values or differences as one positively appreciates other religious values as well as tolerates diverse religious systems and world views.

6. 6. Multicultural Personality-oriented Self: The self is sensitive enough to learn culturally diverse life-styles or values.

Conclusion:

The conceptual categories of healthy acculturative self are recommended to be used as meta-cognitive maps when mental health professionals and cultural psychiatrists conduct psychiatric assessment and diagnosis.