Mental health problems such as anxiety and depression among young people are a growing public health problem worldwide. To address this effectively, it’s important to understand to what extend...Show moreMental health problems such as anxiety and depression among young people are a growing public health problem worldwide. To address this effectively, it’s important to understand to what extend factors such as academic stress, parental expectations and family well-being influence the development of anxiety and mood disorders. Relatively little is known about the anxiety and worry experienced by early adolescent children and the extent to which this is culture dependent. The present study sought insight in the worries of children aged 10-12 years from Western and non-Western cultural backgrounds. In addition, the extent to which internalizing symptoms are related to achievement anxiety, parental expectations and family well-being was examined. This was done by interviewing 74 Indian children (M = 10.92 ; SD = 0.75) and 69 Dutch (M = 11.17 ; SD = 0.92) children using the Cultural Formulation Interview. In addition, the amount of internalizing complaints and family welfare were determined using RCADS and FASIII. Results showed that children from India more often experienced achievement-oriented anxiety than Dutch children, and that this was associated with a greater amount of internalizing symptoms. The parental expectations that Indian children experienced were often achievement-oriented expectations regarding school or future profession, whereas the parental expectations of Dutch children were more often focused on being able to show responsibility for tasks. This might be explained by the values transmitted from parent to child within individualistic and collectivistic culture. Evidence exists that cultural values remain present when families from collectivist cultures move to a country with a more individualistic culture. It is therefore extremely important to be aware of these cross-cultural differences within mental health care, as well as education, when dealing with adolescents with anxiety and mood problems.Show less
