Asian Societies Research Articles

WEIRD-Confucian comparisons: Ongoing cultural biases in psychology's evidence base and some recommendations for improving global representation.

The realization that most behavioral science research focuses on cultures labeled as WEIRD-Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic (Arnett, 2008; Henrich et al., 2010; Thalmayer et al., 2021)-has given an impetus to extend the research to more diverse populations. Confucian East Asian societies have relatively strong social and technological infrastructure to advance science and thus have gained much prominence in cross-cultural studies. This has inadvertently fostered another bias: the dominance of WEIRD-Confucian comparisons and a tendency to draw conclusions about "non-WEIRD" cultures in general based on data from Confucian societies. Here, analyzing 1,466,019 scientific abstracts and, separately, coverage of 60 large-scale cross-cultural psychological projects (Nsamples = 2,668 from Ncountries = 153 covering nparticipants = 3,722,940), we quantify the dominance of Confucian over other non-WEIRD cultures in psychological research. Our analysis also reveals the underrepresentation of non-European Union postcommunist societies and the almost total invisibility of Pacific Island, Caribbean, Middle African, and Central Asian societies within the research database of psychology. We call for a shift in cross-cultural studies toward midsize (7+ countries) and ideally large-scale (50+ countries) cross-cultural studies, and we propose mitigations that we believe could aid the inclusion of diverse researchers as well as participants from underrepresented cultures in our field. People in all world regions and cultures deserve psychological knowledge that applies to them. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Belief in Jinn Possession Scale: Development and validation

In spite of scientific developments, paranormal beliefs remain widespread, especially in South Asian societies. Numerous disorders connected to possession and trance have been theorized in recent years. In this study, three community samples were used to develop a comprehensive scale of Belief in Jinn Possession Scale (BJPS) and to examine its consistency and relevance. The BJPS scale was proposed to be multidimensional with four factors displaying satisfactory internal consistency reliability estimated by the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) ( n = 300). However, confirmatory factor analyses ( n = 300) reduced the number of factors to two. The BJPS demonstrated excellent reliability and statistically significant positive correlations among its factors of beliefs about signs of possession and beliefs about vulnerability and preventive measures. Convergent and discriminant validity ( n = 316) was supported by a high correlation between BJPS, Revised Paranormal Belief Scale (RPBS), and Paranormal and Supernatural Belief Scale (PSBS) and a low correlation between BJPS, Narcissistic Personality Inventory 16 (NPI-16), and Moral Identity Measure (MIM). These results suggest that the BJPS is a well-grounded and sound tool for evaluating one’s irrational beliefs about possession states in Pakistani culture, and it may be the first attempt to conceptualize possession.

Delayed gratification predicts behavioral and academic outcomes: Examining the validity of the delay-of-gratification choice paradigm in Singaporean young children

This study examined the reliability and validity of the Delay-of-Gratification (DoG) choice paradigm in Singapore, a multicultural Asian society. Data were collected over two waves from a nationally representative sample of 2,956 Singaporean young children, a subset of the participants from the Singapore Longitudinal Early Development Study (SG-LEADS). DoG, working memory, and parent-rated child self-control were measured during the preschool years (ages 3–6) in Wave 1. Academic achievement and parent-rated child behavior problems were measured approximately two years later in Wave 2. Results evidenced sound psychometric properties of the multi-trial actual choice task as a measure of DoG with Singaporean young children, indicated by (1) excellent internal reliability, (2) development of DoG as a function of age, gender, and parental education, (3) variations in children’s choices by the quantity of the delayed reward, (4) convergent validity with concurrently measured working memory and self-control, and (5) predictive validity with more advanced reading and mathematical skills as well as fewer externalizing and internalizing problems, indirectly through working memory and self-control.

Versatile Use of V-Y Advancement Flap for Facial Defect Reconstruction: A Case Series in Asian Patients.

V-Y advancement flap (VYAF) is a commonly used flap for facial reconstruction, but it is not popular in Asian society with limited aesthetic outcome evaluation. To demonstrate our experience of facial VYAF with the quantitative aesthetic outcome assessment. From January 2013 to December 2022, patients who underwent facial VYAF reconstruction were reviewed. Postoperative photographs were collected and independently graded by three plastic surgeons, three nurses, and six non-medical personnel using Manchester scar scale (MSS). The representative preoperative images were selected for surgeons' reconstruction preferences survey. Forty-eight patients (27 females and 21 males), with a mean age of 66.8 (23-97) years, were included in this study. All flaps survived with no flap necrosis. Only six patients (12.5%) developed minor postoperative complications, and they were treated conservatively and resolved uneventfully. The total MSS score was 7.8 ± 1.9 (scale of 4 [best scar] to 24 [worst scar]) and the overall scar VAS rating was 1.9 ± 1.1 (0 [best scar] to 10 [worst scar]), indicating satisfactory postoperative scar condition. From the survey of 22 plastic surgeons and 11 scenarios, VYAF was rarely chosen among other local flaps which only accounted for 8.7%. VYAF is an easy and safe method for facial reconstruction with low morbidity, but its usefulness is underappreciated. With a proper design and cautious dissection, we believe that good aesthetic and functional outcomes can be achieved with VYAF. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Taiwanese family members’ bereavement experience following an expected death: a systematic review and narrative synthesis

BackgroundBereavement experience is shaped by cultural and social contexts. No systematically constructed reviews were identified to explore the bereavement experience for people who are influenced by Chinese culture valuing filial piety and mutual dependence. This review aimed to systematically review the bereavement experience of Taiwanese family members living in Taiwan following an expected death.MethodsMEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, China Academic Journal Database, and Chinese Electronic Periodical Services were searched with no date restrictions from inception to 20 October 2022. The methodological rigour of studies was assessed using Hawker’s appraisal tool. A narrative synthesis approach using Popay’s work was employed to synthesise the findings of the studies. Studies investigating Taiwanese family members’ bereavement experiences were included. We excluded papers studying bereavement through the death of a child.ResultsSearches retrieved 12,735 articles (after de-duplication), 17 of which met the inclusion criteria and were included for synthesis: English [9] and Chinese [8], published between 2006 and 2021. The studies varied in quality with scores ranging from 22 to 33 out of 36. The studies differed in the relationship between participants and the deceased, the bereaved time frames, and the definitions of bereavement. Most studies focussed on family members of cancer patients receiving specialist palliative care. Three bereavement theories and four tools were used. Risk factors of bereavement outcomes included family members feeling less prepared for death and deaths where palliative sedative therapy was used. Protective factors were higher caregiving burden and longer caregiving periods. Four themes regarding Taiwanese bereavement experience were generated: multiple impacts of death; problem-based coping strategies; importance of maintaining connections; influential religious beliefs and rituals.ConclusionContinuing the relationship with the deceased is a key element of Taiwanese bereavement experience and it is influenced by religious and cultural beliefs. Suppressing or hiding emotions during bereavement to connect with the deceased and maintain harmonious relationships needs to be acknowledged as culturally acceptable and encouraged by some religions in Taiwan. The findings could be potentially relevant for other Chinese populations, predominantly Buddhist countries or other East Asian societies. The role of preparing for death in bereavement outcomes is little understood and requires further research.

An Overview of Interaction within Pre-modern East Asian Region Through Buddhist Impact

Scholars have researched the impact of Buddhism on pre-modern and modern East Asia from different aspects, both within and between politics (states since the late 19th century): art, ideology, cultural practice, and food. Among existing academic literature on Buddhisms impact on the interaction between polities within East Asia, the expansion of certain material cultural elements and cultural concepts and foodways are among the major focuses. This paper employs the anthropological understanding of non-material and material components of culture. The working anthropological definition of religion is combined, to summarize and categorize the existing research on Buddhisms impact on pre-modern East Asian culture. Understanding culture in its material and non-material components, and its relationship with religion through time and space leads to this article to structure the relationship between Buddhism and pre-modern East Asian cultures into its expansion, its development, and its impact on different subcategories of a culture. The overview suggests an increase in future research on the multidirectional interaction of Buddhist pre-modern East Asian cultures and Buddhisms influence on greater foodway within different pre-modern East Asian societies.

The Influence of Confucian Cultural Values on the Social Roles of Contemporary Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Women

The background of the research is based on the problems and dilemmas faced by women in modern East Asian society. The research investigated how Confuciuss thoughts put social constraints on women in China, Japan, and South Korea because of their gender through the content of the books and the derived meaning of folk while looking at the ideological transformation of women in society to resist these regulations. People in those societies are often disciplined by thousands of years of traditional etiquette, hence the conflict between self-consciousness and cultural oppression brought about by Confucianism becomes an important topic among East Asian scholars. The paper aims to show how the Confucius norms build on the fixed gender role in different ways and analyze the social oppression of East Asian women, with the resistance and struggle that women are making in these countries. Hence a better understanding of the progress of women's rights in East Asian countries and the role of women in society. The significance of the paper is that it makes up the research gap on how Confucian culture oppresses women's social status and uses realistic scenes while demonstrating the transformation of women's self-consciousness under these regulations in a chronological sequence.

Effectiveness of a brief digitalized psychoeducational intervention in reducing mental health stigma associated with psychosis: a single-arm Singaporean pilot trial

ABSTRACT Public stigma towards psychosis constitutes a major obstacle hindering the provision of evidence-based psychotherapy. Such attitudes appear particularly concerning in South-East Asia, where people with complex mental health needs avoid seeking professional help due to high levels of stigmatization and discrimination. This study investigated the effects of a brief digitalized psychoeducational intervention on reduction of stigma associated with psychosis among young adults in Singapore. 157 participants were recruited and completed a single-arm efficacy trial. Pre- and post-intervention levels of stigma were assessed with standardized measures. Significant reduction across cognitive, attitudinal, and behavioural dimensions of stigma was achieved post-intervention. Comparing with prior studies reporting elaborate and resource-intensive public mental health education initiatives, our results suggest that similar, if not greater, outcomes might be achieved via single-session electronically delivered interventions, particularly among younger sections of Asian societies.

2024 Consensus Statement on Coronary Stenosis and Plaque Evaluation in CT Angiography From the Asian Society of Cardiovascular Imaging-Practical Tutorial (ASCI-PT)

2024 Consensus Statement on Coronary Stenosis and Plaque Evaluation in CT Angiography From the Asian Society of Cardiovascular Imaging-Practical Tutorial (ASCI-PT)

Major clinical research advances in gynecologic cancer in 2023: a tumultuous year for endometrial cancer.

In the 2023 series, we summarized the major clinical research advances in gynecologic oncology based on communications at the conference of Asian Society of Gynecologic Oncology Review Course. The review consisted of 1) Endometrial cancer: immune checkpoint inhibitor, antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), selective inhibitor of nuclear export, CDK4/6 inhibitors WEE1 inhibitor, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. 2) Cervical cancer: surgery in low-risk early-stage cervical cancer, therapy for locally advanced stage and advanced, metastatic, or recurrent setting; and 3) Ovarian cancer: immunotherapy, triplet therapies using immune checkpoint inhibitors along with antiangiogenic agents and PARP inhibitors, and ADCs. In 2023, the field of endometrial cancer treatment witnessed a landmark year, marked by several practice-changing outcomes with immune checkpoint inhibitors and the reliable efficacy of PARP inhibitors and ADCs.

Prostitution in Russia’s Asian Possessions in the Last Third of the 19th ‒ Early 20th Century

The article deals with the phenomenon of prostitution in the Asian regions of the Russian Empire in the last third of the 19th — early 20th century. The article discusses the unique details of the organization of the sphere of commercial sex after the arrival of the Russian administration and laws in the cities of Central Asia. The study requires analyzing the causes of this social deviation, identifying the social status of prostitutes before they join the profession, demonstrating their national and gender-age composition. To do this, we used sources of personal origin created by contemporaries of the era, who directly observed changes in Central Asian society in the late 1870s — early 20th century, as well as statistical information, primarily materials of the First General Population Census of the Russian Empire. The legalization of paid sex services in Central Asia has significantly changed the daily life of the local population. Women who until then sold their bodies secretly were able to legally stay in brothels, receive guarantees of payment for services and protection from physical abuse by clients. Open access to Russian recreational traditions compelled many local men to reconsider the strict moral norms regulated by religion, so for them drinking alcohol in the company of prostitutes became quite commonplace in the cities of Central Asia in the early 20th century.

The 8th Biennial Meeting of the Asian Society of Gynecologic Oncology, December 1st to 3rd, 2023.

The 8th Biennial Meeting of the Asian Society of Gynecologic Oncology, December 1st to 3rd, 2023.

2024 Consensus Statement on Coronary Stenosis and Plaque Evaluation in CT Angiography From the Asian Society of Cardiovascular Imaging-Practical Tutorial (ASCI-PT).

The Asian Society of Cardiovascular Imaging-Practical Tutorial (ASCI-PT) is an instructional initiative of the ASCI School designed to enhance educational standards. In 2021, the ASCI-PT was convened with the goal of formulating a consensus statement on the assessment of coronary stenosis and coronary plaque using coronary CT angiography (CCTA). Nineteen experts from four countries conducted thorough reviews of current guidelines and deliberated on eight key issues to refine the process and improve the clarity of reporting CCTA findings. The experts engaged in both online and on-site sessions to establish a unified agreement. This document presents a summary of the ASCI-PT 2021 deliberations and offers a comprehensive consensus statement on the evaluation of coronary stenosis and coronary plaque in CCTA.

Global guides: Defining teachers’ viewpoints about global food insecurity using Q methodology

As global food security concerns continue to expand, education systems are called to help produce globally competent students nimble in addressing complex issues. Secondary educators are vital in this mission of developing a globally competent workforce, and their perspectives on global issues impact how students learn about these concepts. In this study, we aimed to explain the viewpoints of a group of educators on global learning issues, specifically food security. We conducted a Q method study with 34 educators to characterize their viewpoints of priority issues related to global learning of food security. In relation to food insecurity, we identified five personas from educators’ prioritization of global food security issues: conservative conservationists, enlightened equalists, futurists, trainers and teachers, and mindful producers. The perspectives of these personas were used to further understand the educators’ perspectives of global competency of the group through the Asia Society’s (2018) model of Four Domains for Global Competence and of current international sustainability goals.

The abstract book of the 21st Congress of Turkish Society for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, 24th Congress of Asian Society for Vascular Surgery (ASVS) 18th Asian Venous Forum, 12th Congress of Turkish Society of Phlebology

The abstract book of the 21st Congress of Turkish Society for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, 24th Congress of Asian Society for Vascular Surgery (ASVS) 18th Asian Venous Forum, 12th Congress of Turkish Society of Phlebology

The Decline of Fertility in East Asia Society: Its Sociological Factors and the Meaning of Women's Equal Rights

Women's equal rights are women's corresponding self-defense measures against the inequality that still exists in employment, education, or life, and it is also a symbol of the pursuit of personal dignity and self-rights. The inequality between men and women is mainly manifested in the excessive output of patriarchal values, which lead to problems such as male-female ratio imbalance and marriage squeeze and have seriously affected the fertility rate in the Asia-Pacific region. The problem of increasing the fertility rate is imminent, and society can take corresponding measures to improve its fundamental factors, rather than crudely attribute the problem to the awakening of women's consciousness, to some extent this is the objectification of women's value. However, the road to women's equal rights is still a long way to go. In recent years, the fertility rate issue has also been forced to be linked with the road to women's equal rights, which has aroused heated discussions. The study confirms fundamental factors of the low fertility rate and emphasizes the significance of women's equal rights.

Культурные ценности: их связь с аттитюдами и поведением в отношении пожилых людей

<p>In Asian societies, the quality of life among senior citizens depends on the support they receive from their younger generation. Accordingly, this study adopted the 'value-attitude-behavior hierarchy' in examining the impacts of Chinese traditional cultural values on the attitudes and behaviors of Malaysian Chinese adolescents towards senior citizens. 482 Malaysian Chinese adolescents were recruited for participation in a purposive sampling and surveys. Participants were asked to fill three scales: Chinese values survey, Kogan’s attitudes towards older people, and interaction with older people. The results implied that traditional cultural values significantly impact the attitudes of these Chinese adolescents toward senior citizens. Besides, the attitudes toward older people are associated with interaction with older people. In addition, the findings also showed that attitudes toward senior citizens are statistical mediators of the cultural values impact on adolescents' interaction with senior citizens. The results supported applying the value-attitude-behavior hierarchy to better understand the influence of cultural values on the attitudes and behaviors toward senior citizens. Besides, the results also indicate that perseverance in particular cultural values will help the younger generation to improve the intergenerational relationships, especially among the younger generation whose values have been changing to individualistic ideas.</p>

THE “GOOD” CAREGIVER: DOES FILIAL PIETY NECESSITATE SELF-SACRIFICE?

Abstract Family caregiving policies that amplify the enactment of ‘filial piety’ – respect and care towards parents, grandparents and older persons – are especially pronounced in Asian societies, where caring for older family members is culturally expected and appraised yet is associated with stress and burden. Numerous studies have shown that fulfilment of filial piety contributes to better psychological outcomes for caregivers while mismatched filial expectations contribute to poorer psychological outcomes. However, few studies acknowledge how filial care varies according to individual resources and socio-cultural contexts. We seek to understand how family caregivers negotiate their self-determination through filial care, which contributes to positive and negative caregiving experiences. We conducted in-depth interviews with 34 caregivers of older persons with functional limitations in Singapore, purposefully selected based on varying positive and negative caregiving experiences. For caregivers with predominantly negative caregiving experiences, filial care was seen as an act of sacrifice and expectation of duty, with low autonomy to exercise self-determination. In comparison, caregivers with predominantly positive caregiving experiences described filial care as an act of sincere love cultivated through close relationships with their care-recipient, and aligned to their self-determination. Strong family support was also evident in the latter. Treating filial piety as a ‘natural desire to care for parents’ obscures efforts required to amplify positive caregiving experiences while normalisation of self-sacrifice and suffering hinders caregivers from expressing burden and accessing support. A nuanced understanding of how caregivers negotiate filial care can inform policy interventions to empower caregivers and care-recipients and enhance intergenerational relationships.

ASSET-BASED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOR DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES (ABCD FOR DFC): A PILOT PROJECT IN HONG KONG

Abstract There is little understanding about how a dementia-friendly community can be constructed in East Asian societies, particularly in geographically remote areas characterized with majority older adult residents and limited external support. A pilot project using an asset-based community development (ABCD) approach in constructing a dementia-friendly community in Hong Kong was implemented. Informed by the theoretical tenets of ABCD, the purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of this pilot project in enabling older adult residents and other community stakeholders to better respond to challenges resulting from growing prevalence of dementia. Multiple stakeholder interviews were conducted with older adult residents, church leaders, district councillors, and social workers. Participants were asked to share the strengths and challenges of this ABCD pilot project in building a dementia-friendly community. Data generated from interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Four key preliminary themes were identified, including on the individual level: enhanced dementia literacy, and enacted proactive behaviour; and on the community level: strengthened bridging social capital, and improved community caring capacity. Uncertain long-term financial and professional support posed challenges to participants. Nevertheless, findings underscore the importance of departing from traditional service delivery models, to one that infuses ABCD approaches in constructing a dementia-friendly community. Mobilising existing human and social capital in the community, and embedding older adults in co-creating solutions are key to improve dementia-related interventions. We contribute to ongoing theoretical and practice discussions on the intersections between population aging and employing community-based solutions to create a more dementia-friendly society.

Therapeutic Effects of Nettle Leaf: An Indigenous Vegetable

Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica L.; family Urticaceae) is extensively used species by traditional societies of Temperate and Tropical Asia, Europe, Northern America and Northern Africa. As food, the species shows nutritional as well as immunity modulating benefits. It has shown positive benefits for treating various diseases, such as BPH, diabetes, anemia, asthma, hypertension, kidney problem, cancer, etc.; although these claims are based on different doses, followed by type and duration of intervention. There is a need to take-up more coordinated researches and validation studies in future so that applicability of nettle could be established properly against various diseases as well as proper quality control and toxicological investigations is required to assure the stability and safety of the clinical uses.