2805 – Mapping conceptual frames of healthy acculturative self: a positive multicultural psychiatry perspective

Abstract

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. 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. Six conceptual frames of healthy acculturative self are summed up as conceptual templates or modules. 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. Globally Adapting Self: The self is able to adapt oneself to globally changing environment. 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. Optimistic Self: The self strives to achieve one's goals and is able to overcome depression or life frustration. 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. Multicultural Personality-oriented Self: The self is sensitive enough to learn culturally diverse life-styles or values. 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.