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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 1, 2026

The Social Dimension of Stress: Experimental Manipulations of Social Support and Social Identity in the Trier Social Stress Test

The Social Dimension of Stress: Experimental Manipulations of Social Support and Social Identity in the Trier Social Stress Test

Published on: November 19, 2015

Culture and social support.

Heejung S Kim¹, David K Sherman, Shelley E Taylor

¹Department of Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9660, USA. kim@psych.ucsb.edu

The American Psychologist

|September 17, 2008

Summary

Cultural differences impact social support utilization. Asians and Asian Americans prefer indirect support methods due to relational concerns, unlike European Americans who are more direct.

Area of Science:

Psychology
Sociology
Cross-cultural studies

Background:

Social support is crucial for coping with stress.
Limited research exists on cultural variations in social support network utilization.

Purpose of the Study:

To examine cultural differences in how individuals utilize social support.
To explore the reluctance of Asians and Asian Americans in explicitly seeking support compared to European Americans.

Main Methods:

A review of existing studies on culture and social support.
Comparative analysis of support-seeking behaviors between Asian and European Americans.

Main Results:

Asians and Asian Americans show reluctance in explicitly asking for support.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 1, 2026

The Social Dimension of Stress: Experimental Manipulations of Social Support and Social Identity in the Trier Social Stress Test

The Social Dimension of Stress: Experimental Manipulations of Social Support and Social Identity in the Trier Social Stress Test

Published on: November 19, 2015

Concerns about negative relational consequences influence Asian support-seeking behaviors.

Asians and Asian Americans benefit more from indirect support forms, avoiding explicit disclosure of distress.

Conclusions:

Findings highlight significant cultural differences in social support utilization.
Implications for intercultural interactions and mental health service accessibility for Asians and Asian Americans are discussed.