By Alan Moreland, LMFT, CSAT-S, CMAT, EMDR Certified, ERCEM Trained, Life Balance Counseling
Moving from a collectivistic culture to an individualistic one, or vice versa, can lead to anxiety. This entails not just adapting to a new place and culture but also experiencing a dissonance between ingrained values, experiences, and societal norms. Anxiety may stem from feeling disconnected from one’s base culture and losses of deeper connections with family and friends, losses of rituals, routines, and celebrations, and the loss of feeling a part of “home.”
The Anxiety of “Autonomy” in Individualistic Cultures
In individualistic cultures, such as those in the U.S., Canada, or Western Europe, the Anxiety of Autonomy presides. Personal achievement, independence, and self-expression are highly valued. The cultural narrative often revolves around being the best version of yourself, standing out from the crowd, and taking control of your destiny. While these ideals can inspire ambition and innovation, they also come with an undercurrent of pressure. This can lead to a fear of failure, social comparison, and isolation.
The Anxiety of “Belonging” in Collectivistic Cultures
In contrast, in collectivistic cultures, like Japan, China, South Korea, and many Latin American nations, the Anxiety of Belonging is often observed. These cultures prioritize group harmony, familial ties, and community over individual ambition. One’s identity is often deeply tied to family roles, traditions, social obligations, and attributes like cohesion, harmony, duty, interdependence, and conflict avoidance. This can create a different kind of anxiety. This can lead to pressures to conform, fear of letting others down, and stigma around mental health:
Modern Anxiety and the Impact of Globalization
Example: Hikikomori and Social Withdrawal
One stark example of modern anxiety influenced by cultural pressures is Hikikomori. This term, coined in Japan, describes a phenomenon where individuals, predominantly young adults, withdraw from society and isolate themselves in their homes, often for months or even years. While it shares similarities with social anxiety and agoraphobia, hikikomori is distinct in its cultural roots and reflects the pressures unique to collectivistic societies like Japan. Cultural Pressures: Failure to meet family and societal expectations can lead to deep feelings of shame, not just for the individual but also for their family. Hikikomori can be understood as an extreme avoidance strategy to escape these perceived risks. Stigma and Coping: Due to the stigma attached to mental health, instead of openly discussing anxiety or depression, many may choose silent withdrawal as a coping mechanism, leading to prolonged isolation. Global Recognition: Though originally identified in Japan, hikikomori has since been recognized in other countries, including South Korea, Italy, and even the U.S. The rise of digital technology, remote work, and online communities may be contributing to more people retreating from face-to-face social interactions, though not always for the same cultural reasons.
Having personally gone through the process of assimilation, and it’s accompanying anxiety while moving to Peoria as an adult, I understand the nuances of this process. This makes me an ideal therapist to help others with similar struggles. If you find yourself in Peoria, isolating and struggling with loneliness, give me a call.
Life Balance Counseling Peoria, PLCC is located at 8801 N. University St. in Peoria. You can contact them at 309-676-0538 or visit www.lifebalancecounselingpeoria.com.