Interpersonal Harmony Research Articles

Effects of multicultural experiences on empathy: A model of the roles of positive emotion and critical thinking

AbstractThe extant empirical evidence indicates that multicultural experiences (MCEs) are linked to numerous positive outcomes, including increased trust, reduced intergroup bias, and the promotion of large‐scale cooperation. These beneficial effects partly depend on the fact that increased MCEs enhance cultural sensitivity, which may enable individuals to better empathize with others. Therefore, we explored the beneficial effects of MCEs on empathy, along with the potential mechanisms. A sample of 1480 Chinese young adults (M = 21.40, SD = 1.86) were employed to complete anonymous questionnaires on their MCEs, positive emotions, critical thinking, empathy, and multicultural breadth. By controlling for gender and family socioeconomic status, parallel mediation analysis revealed that MCEs can independently influence individuals' levels of empathy through both positive emotions and critical thinking. Thereafter, multicultural breadth was determined as a moderator influencing this model. The results highlighted the role of MCEs in increasing empathy through their relationship with cognitive and emotional processes. This study is significant in expanding our understanding of the consequences of MCEs and has practical value in promoting more interpersonal harmony and social tolerance through enhanced empathy.

Motives matter more with age: Adult age differences in response to sociomoral violations.

Moral judgments and emotional reactions to sociomoral violations are heavily impacted by a perpetrator's intentions and desires, which pose a threat to social harmony. Given that older adults are more motivated to maintain interpersonal harmony relative to younger adults, older adults may be more reactive to malicious desires. In three studies, we investigated adult age differences in moral judgments and emotional reactions to sociomoral violations. In all studies, participants read scenarios in which a perpetrator either (a) desired to harm another but nothing happened, or (b) harmed another accidentally without malicious desire. Study 2 incorporated additional scenarios designed to evoke anger and disgust without explicitly implicating another person to evaluate whether age differences emerge only when sociomoral violations against another are salient. In Study 3, we examined the combined effects of malicious desires and harmful outcomes by including scenarios in which (a) harmful desires were coupled with harmful outcomes, and (b) benign desires were coupled with benign outcomes. Predominantly across the studies, older adults judged perpetrators who desired to harm another more harshly but judged perpetrators who accidentally harmed another more leniently than younger adults. Emotional reactions generally corresponded with the differences in judgments. Taken together, this work suggests that desires more strongly impact older relative to younger adults' judgments and emotional reactions in sociomoral contexts. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Adolescent leadership: Associations with exclusion of others, effortful control, and popularity

Three-year longitudinal and concurrent associations of leadership with overt aggression, exclusion of others, effortful control (EC), popularity, unpopularity, prosocial behavior, and academic achievement were assessed in this study of Indonesian adolescents. Participants were initially assessed in the 10th grade (n = 462, 256 girls; Mage = 15.14, SD = .62) and followed for 2 years. Concurrent analyses revealed that leadership was positively associated with exclusion of others, EC, and popularity and negatively associated with overt aggression at 12th grade. The positive associations between leadership and exclusion of others only emerged for youth with high levels of EC. Positive associations of leadership with academic achievement were found in the longitudinal analyses and concurrent analyses at the 11th and 12th grade and concurrent associations between prosocial behavior and leadership were found each year. These findings reflect Indonesian cultural norms in which leaders are expected to maintain interpersonal harmony and avoid overt conflict.

Cross-Cultural Differences in Emotional Regulation Strategies in United States

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the cross-cultural differences in emotional regulation strategies in United States. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Cross-cultural differences in emotional regulation strategies in the United States show variations across cultural groups, with collectivist cultures leaning towards socially-oriented strategies like seeking social support. Cultural norms influence these strategies, emphasizing interpersonal harmony. Individual differences, including acculturation, also play a role. Understanding these dynamics sheds light on how cultural context shapes emotional regulation in diverse U.S. populations. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Cultural models of emotion, cultural syndromes theory & acculturation theory may be used to anchor future studies on the cross-cultural differences in emotional regulation strategies in United States. Mental health practitioners and educators should incorporate cultural sensitivity training into their programs to better support individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds in managing their emotions. Governments and organizations should prioritize the development of culturally sensitive mental health policies and programs that recognize and address the diverse emotional regulation needs of multicultural societies.

The effect of awe on tourists’ responsible behavioral intention in a mountainous religious tourism destination: evidence from China

In China, as the economy and technology advance, the diminishing awe toward nature and deities prompts investigation into its impact on tourists’ responsible behavioral intention at mountainous religious destinations. Previous research has often linked the positive effect of awe on prosocial behavior to the concept of the “small self”, a perspective that in recent years has faced criticism for its limitations. This study proposes that role identity salience provides a more persuasive explanatory mechanism. This concept is particularly relevant to the Chinese cultural context, which emphasizes interpersonal harmony. Besides, this study diverges from prior research focusing solely on environmental responsibility by examining a broader spectrum of responsible behavioral intentions, including both economic contributions to destination development and efforts to preserve its environment and culture. Data from Mount Emei in China were collected and analyzed to examine the hypotheses. The study reveals that awe and role identity salience sequentially mediate the impact of natural environment on intention for non-economically responsible behavior, as well as the impacts of religious atmosphere on intentions for both economically and non-economically responsible behavior.

From zen to stigma: Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and their cross‐cultural links to mental health

AbstractStigma remains a significant barrier preventing individuals from seeking the support they need, particularly for individuals with East Asian heritages. To explore potential mechanisms, this study examined links from East Asian ideologies to mental health help‐seeking attitudes and peace of mind across five cultural groups: 322 respondents in China, 400 in Japan, 362 in Taiwan, 319 Asian Americans, and 688 white Americans. The three teachings of East Asia accounted for 31%–85% of the cross‐cultural differences in mental health attitudes and peace of mind. Empowering Confucian tenets (self‐cultivation, leading by example, and human heartedness), Taoism, and Buddhism all uniquely predicted greater peace of mind across most of the groups. Empowering Confucianism also predicted lower mental health stigma whereas Buddhism predicted greater stigma. Finally, Restrictive Confucian tenets (e.g., interpersonal harmony, propriety, and relational hierarchy) predicted greater stigma and lower peace of mind. Implications for addressing stigma/resistance within treatment and for promoting mental health across cultures are discussed.

Peer Stress Spills Over to Family Stress in the Context of Emotion Regulation Difficulties: A Daily Diary Study with Chinese Adolescents

Conflict in peer and family relationships becomes more common in the adolescent period when compared to previous developmental periods. These typical developmental challenges can be exacerbated in the context of poor emotion regulation skills. Using daily diary data, the current study examined the stress spillover effects of peer and family stress on one another, as well as the moderating role of emotion regulation challenges (i.e., emotional inhibition, dysregulation). A sample of 310 Chinese adolescents (Mage = 13.02 years, SD = 0.76 years, 50.7% boys) completed an initial measure of emotion regulation difficulties, then reported on peer and family stress for 10 consecutive weekdays. Results indicated that there was an overall same-day peer stress spillover effect in which adolescents’ peer stress on a given day was negatively associated with later conflictual interactions with their parents. Further, the relation between peer stress and same- and next-day family stress was exacerbated in the context of high levels of emotional inhibition. Family stress did not significantly relate to next-day peer stress, nor was this association moderated by difficulties with emotion regulation. These results highlight the temporal sequence of daily peer-to-family stress spillover. Though emotional inhibition may be culturally adaptive for maintaining interpersonal harmony, it can be maladaptive in managing stress for Chinese adolescents.

Theoretical and Hypothetical Study of Premenstrual Syndrome According to Ayurveda

Introduction: Premenstrual syndrome generally occurs in response to change in levels of hormones progesterone & estrogen. A condition which manifests with distressing physical, behavioral & psychological symptoms in absence of organic or underline psychiatric disease. Symptoms of it may interfere females professional life & may alter her interpersonal harmony at social life. There upon over the period of time topic is selected to review on PMS. Aim: To review PMS according to Ayurveda. Methodology: Ayurvedic classics & modern literature were scrutinized to postulate theoretical & hypothetical study for understanding PMS. Review of Literature: Raymond Greene & Katharina Daltone wrote about it for the first time in 1953. Observation: Acne , Breast tenderness, Bloating, Fatigue, Mood Swings, Aggression, Reduce Concentration etc are observed at physical, psychological as well as behavioral level. Discussion: According to Ayurveda Premenstrual Syndrome is manifested due to imbalance of bodily elements such as Tridosha, Dhatu, Updhatu etc. if further scrutinized in detailed it was found that Apana vayu is involving factor to produce the symptoms. As the sight of Apana Vayu is pelvic region & it helps in regular timely excretion of urine, stool, fetus, menstrual fluid etc .Conclusion: It is Observed that symptomology of PMS is ranged at physical, physiological & psychological level. Involvement of Tridosha, specifically symptoms of Prana, Udana, Apana Vayu vitiation were observed. Keywords: Apana Vayu, Ayurveda, Premenstrual syndrome

Perceived working conditions and employee performance in the coal mining sector of China: a job demands-resources perspective

Purpose This paper aims to investigate how perceived working conditions affect employee performance, including safety compliance and task performance, through employee well-being (i.e. job satisfaction) in the context of the coal mining sector in China. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses the job demands-resources model to test the relationships between working conditions, including job demands (work pressure as a challenge demand and perceived risks and hazards in the workplace and ineffectiveness of the safety system as hindrance demands), job resources (interpersonal harmony), job satisfaction and performance. This study adopts a two-wave design with a three-month lag to reduce possible common method bias. Findings Employees who experienced high level of challenge demands, e.g. time pressure workload, reported higher levels of task performance, and this positive relationship seemed to be robust. There is a direct effect of perceived ineffectiveness of the safety system on task performance, while the relationship between perceived risks and hazards and task performance was fully mediated by job satisfaction. Challenge demands, i.e. work pressure, did not impact much on employees’ well-being, and thus job satisfaction did not mediate the relationship between work pressure and performance. Perceived ineffectiveness of the safety system was negatively associated with safety compliance. This result is not surprising since a lack of effective safety system reflects management’s ignorance of workplace safety, which demotivates employees to enact safe behaviors. In contrast, the presence and implementation of an effective safety system would be interpreted by employees as management exhibiting a high level of commitment. Work pressure was positively not negatively related to safety compliance. One possible explanation for this finding is that the effects of work pressure on safety compliance behaviors might be dependent on contextual factors such as safety climate. Interpersonal harmony moderated the relationships between work pressure and employee performance (both safety compliance and task performance) and the relationship between perceived risks and hazards and task performance, but the role of interpersonal harmony appeared more complex. There was no significant correlation between challenging job demands and individual employee performance when there were higher levels of interpersonal harmony. The relationship between perceived risks and hazards, a hindrance job demand and task performance became positive as interpersonal harmony increased but negative as interpersonal harmony decreased. Originality/value This paper provides a robust integrative theoretical framework that better explains the various types of job demands and job resources in the working environment of coal mining sector in China and their relationships to employee performance. The findings also offer valuable guidance for managers trying to identify effective ways to enhance employee performance and safety in the workplace.

Exploring Interpersonal Harmony: A Cross-Cultural Comparison between Eastern and Western Societies

The concept of interpersonal harmony exhibits distinct cultural nuances between Eastern and Western societies, shaped by factors such as cultural variances, historical contexts, and societal norms. The field’s current comprehension of these distinctions remains limited due to a focus on researching interpersonal conflict within Western societies, leaving the study of interpersonal harmony less informative. The present literature review analyzes research findings on interpersonal harmony within Eastern and Western cultural contexts to establish an understanding of the role of interpersonal harmony and the consequential impact on interpersonal relationships in different social contexts. This review highlights the role and effects of interpersonal harmony in Eastern societies, aimed at enhancing the understanding of interpersonal harmony regarding cultural influence.

The Impact of Higher Vocational Students’ Positive Self-Presentation on Interpersonal Harmony from the Perspective of Online Social Networking—The Chain Mediation Role of Positive Feedback and Music Quotient

The Impact of Higher Vocational Students’ Positive Self-Presentation on Interpersonal Harmony from the Perspective of Online Social Networking—The Chain Mediation Role of Positive Feedback and Music Quotient

Cultural modes of conflict resolution, roommate satisfaction, and school belonging: The role of socioeconomic status in university peer relations

It is often assumed that ethnic differences are the source of cross-cultural conflict and misunderstandings in the United States. However, research indicates that socioeconomic differences, i.e., family ecologies, play an important role in producing cross-cultural value conflict between student peers in a university setting. Our prior research revealed two resolution styles: (1) a collectivistic strategy – maintaining interpersonal harmony by avoidance or implicit communication, or (2) an individualistic strategy – advocating for and expressing one's personal feelings via explicit communication. In a small qualitative study of first-generation university students from Latin American immigrant families, improved roommate relations resulted from use of the more individualistic strategy. The purpose of the present study was to extend this work by examining whether the positive role of explicit conflict resolution with dormitory roommates generalizes to a large diverse sample of university students in the United States and to examine the role of socioeconomic status, a key aspect of the ecological surround. By means of a survey of 347 first-year UCLA students, we explored the interrelations of socioeconomic status, conflict resolution style, roommate relations, sense of belonging in the university environment, and psychological distress. Socioeconomic status consisted of parent education and income, which were closely related. Being a first-generation university student (i.e., neither parent had a postsecondary degree) was, as predicted, associated with harmony-maintaining modes of resolving roommate conflicts. In accord with our earlier qualitative findings, these modes of conflict resolution were less effective than an explicit mode in producing satisfying roommate relations. Less satisfying roommate relations led, in turn, to a lower sense of belonging in the university environment and more psychological distress. This causal chain from first-generation university status to less satisfying roommate relations, a lower sense of belonging, and more psychological distress may help explain the prevalence of "imposter" syndrome among first-generation university students.

Dialog Kultural: Qaulan Layyina dalam Dinamika Masyarakat Kontemporer

This research aims to determine qaulan layyina as cultural dialogue in the dynamics of contemporary society. This research uses a library method with a descriptive qualitative approach. This research uses primary and secondary data sources, with data analysis techniques that include analysis, description, and comparison. The data obtained was arranged systematically and analyzed using descriptive methods, with the study results presented logically. This research indicates that the principle of qaulan layyina, which emphasizes gentle and affectionate communication, has a central role in forming a positive communication environment. With a focus on gentleness and warmth in speech, this principle promotes interpersonal harmony and is critical to maintaining social balance and preventing conflict. This approach has universal relevance in the context of contemporary society, which is complex and full of differences. Qaulan layyina not only lays the foundation for solid individual relationships but also contributes to forming an inclusive and resilient communication culture. By prioritizing gentleness in communication, this principle encourages dialogue that respects differences, strengthens social solidarity, and creates space for cooperation and shared understanding.

Person-organization fit in Japan: A longitudinal study of the effects of clan culture and interdependence on employee well-being

AbstractStudies of person-organization fit (P-O fit) have shown that a fit between the values of the individual and the values of the organization leads to higher job satisfaction. Here, we extended past research by investigating P-O fit on employees’ well-being. We tested what characteristics of the person and the organization contributed to an effective P-O fit in Japan. Specifically, we examined the role of employees’ levels of interdependence and perceptions of their organizational contexts as clan culture or market culture. This allowed us to test what type of organizational culture formed an effective P-O fit for employees with highly interdependent cultural values in Japan. A longitudinal survey of 456 workers in Japan conducted in 2021 and 2022 revealed that clan culture—organizational culture emphasizing interpersonal harmony—was positively related to employees’ well-being, and the effects were stronger for employees with high levels of interdependence. Conversely, market culture—organizational culture emphasizing competition and achievement—was unrelated to employees’ well-being. In fact, it was negatively related to those employees’ well-being who scored high on interdependence. Taken together, these results showed that the effects of organizational culture on employees’ well-being depended on the levels of their interdependence. It seems that interdependence (P) and clan culture (O) provide an ideal P-O fit for Japanese companies.

The effect of emotional labour on professional well-being among early childhood teachers based on structural equation modelling

Abstract This paper strategically classifies the emotional labor of early childhood teachers and explores the relationship between emotional labor, emotional exhaustion, occupational well-being, and occupational self-efficacy based on a five-dimensional model of teachers’ occupational well-being. A structural equation model was developed to explore the mediating effects of early childhood teachers’ psychological capital between surface behavior, passive depth behavior, and occupational well-being, using psychological capital as a mediating variable. Based on the mediation analysis of the structural equation model, parameter identification and parameter design were performed to conduct descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analyses of emotional labor and occupational well-being of kindergarten teachers occupational well-being, and to test the moderating effect of social support in the multimedia context. Deep play significantly and positively predicted the dimensions of emotional well-being, professional well-being, interpersonal harmony, environmental satisfaction, and total occupational well-being scores, i.e., β= 0.35, 0.42, 0.40, 0.21, 0.36, P<0.01.

The Correlation between Interpersonal Harmony and Employee Voice Behavior: The Mediating Role of Employee Well-being

As an important organizational citizenship behavior, voice has attracted the attention of many organizational management scholars. Based on the survey data of 375 employees, this paper studies the influence of interpersonal harmony on employees’ voice behavior and the mediating effect of hedonic well-being and eudaimonic well-being. The results show that interpersonal harmony has a significant positive impact on employee voice behavior; hedonic well-being plays a mediating effect between interpersonal harmony and employee voice behavior; eudaimonic well-being plays a mediating effect between interpersonal harmony and employee voice behavior. The results of this study have certain reference value for improving employee voice behavior.

Exploring the relationship between mental health and dialect use among Chinese older adults: a moderated mediation estimation.

Mental health, conceptualized as psychological status that includes rational cognition, emotional stability, and interpersonal harmony, is highly relevant to the expected health and well-being of all humans. China is facing the dual risk of increased aging and mental health disorders in older adults, while the established studies have rarely focused on the influence of dialect on the mental health of Chinese older adults. The present study aims to capture the relationship between dialect and mental health in Chinese older adults. We use cross-sectional data from the nationally representative China Family Panel Studies, which encompasses the dialect use, mental health, and other socioeconomic features of 4,420 respondents. We construct a moderated mediation model that uses dialects and mental health as the independent and dependent variables and income inequality and subjective well-being as the mediator and moderator to reveal the relationship between dialect and mental health in Chinese older adults. (1) Dialects are shown to have a negative influence on the mental health of older adults in the current study (coefficient = -0.354, 95% CI = [-0.608, -0.097]). (2) Income inequality positively mediates the correlation between dialects and mental health (coefficient = 0.019, 95% CI = [0.010, 0.045]). (3) Subjective well-being negatively moderates the potential mechanism between dialects and mental health (coefficient = -0.126, 95% CI = [-0.284, -0.010]). The use of dialects is associated with worse mental health outcomes in Chinese older adults, while this negative influence is positively mediated by income inequality and negatively moderated by subjective well-being, simultaneously. This study contributes to the knowledge enrichment of government workers, older adults with mental disorders, medical staff, and other stakeholders.

The Golden Mean: How Zhongyong Affects Environmental Behaviors and the Pathways

Zhongyong (golden mean) is a typical Oriental Confucius thought that addresses interpersonal harmony and interdependence. A moderated mediating model was used in this study to examine the relationship between Zhongyong and environmental behavior. The results of our model showed that Zhongyong was positively associated with environmental behavior. In comparison to people with lower levels of Zhongyong, respondents with higher levels of Zhongyong had a significantly higher scores for collective efficacy, personal norms, and environmental behavior. Furthermore, Zhongyong indirectly influenced environmental behavior through collective efficacy and personal norms. More importantly, we introduced two extrinsic moderator variables: environmental concerns and interpersonal communication. The reasons Zhongyong works and how to take advantage of this Oriental cultural heritage to promote an individual’s pro-environmental willingness are further discussed.

Class management in Taiwan’s Active Aging Learning Centers: demonstration of the relationship, interaction, and harmony in ethnic Chinese societies

ABSTRACT Active Aging Learning Centers (AALCs) are scattered across various townships and districts in Taiwan and attract students with diverse backgrounds. Therefore, cultivating positive learning environments at AALCs is crucial. Influenced by Confucianism, ethnic Chinese societies emphasize interpersonal relationships, and traditional Confucian principles and norms inform class management strategies in such societies. This study explored the management of classes offered at AALCs in Taiwan. A total of 24 teachers (8 men and 16 women with an average age of 52.75 years [range: 28–71 years]) were interviewed. The interview data were analyzed using the constant comparative method, and the following results were obtained. (1) The interviewees managed their classes by presenting themselves as professionals, actively learning about and giving attention to their students, establishing class norms, and tracking their students’ learning progress and adjusting their teaching methods accordingly. (2) The aforementioned methods enabled the interviewees to cultivate positive learning environments in which they and their students encouraged each other, learned together, and bonded emotionally, which promoted class cohesion. These findings suggest that class management at AALCs in Taiwan is based on the traditional Chinese conceptualizations of relationships, interactions, and interpersonal harmony and may serve as a reference for training AALC teachers in class management and promoting positive interpersonal interactions in and outside the classroom.

Multi-layered e-feedback anxiety: An action research study among Chinese learners using peer feedback activities in an academic writing course.

There is a gradual increase in the use of e-feedback in higher education, but issues regarding learners' anxiety remain unresolved. In light of the learners' anxiety, e-feedback would essentially become a formality if they are not proactive in providing constructive feedback. This action research examines three cycles of e-feedback activities performed by 12 doctoral students in an academic writing course in a public university in Macau, China. Specifically, the e-feedback activity involved a comprehensive use of various new educational technology tools, namely Moodle, WeChat and Rain Classroom. This study reveals that the causes of students' anxiety when using e-feedback are multi-layered, mainly from the use of smartphones as a communication medium for conducting formal learning activities and the lack of interpersonal and English skills for conveying their thoughts when providing e-feedback. The traditional Chinese culture about the importance of "face" and interpersonal harmony also has impacts on learners' e-feedback delivery. These findings shed new lights on pedagogical practice in higher education.