Construing, Depression, and Somatization in Mothers in Taiwan

Abstract

This study explored the construing of mothers with depression and somatic symptoms in Taiwan, with a particular focus on how they construe themselves when with their children in public and private spaces. Questionnaires and repertory grid technique (RGT) were administered to 63 Taiwanese women. The findings revealed a strong correlation between depression and somatization, emphasizing the mind-body connection. Demographic factors did not significantly impact depression or somatization, suggesting that subjective construing holds more importance than circumstances alone. Tight construing was found to relate to somatization but not depression, implying that the way Taiwanese mothers construe their roles in childrearing is closely connected to somatic symptoms. Surprisingly, the dissimilarity between the actual and ideal self did not correlate with depression or somatization, indicating a possible influence of cultural factors. Moreover, the study highlighted the significant impact of self-construal in public and private spaces on the mental well-being of Taiwanese mothers. It revealed that more depressed and somatized mothers tend to see themselves as similar in both contexts. This challenges whether Western ideas of self-consistency as an indicator of mental health are applicable to East Asian cultures.