Is Expressive Suppression Always Maladaptive? Literature Review in Cross-Cultural Analysis
Keywords:
Cross-cultural Analysis, Expressive Suppression, Maladaptive FunctionAbstract
Previous research showed that expressive suppression is associated with poorer psychological health among samples in Western cultural values, while the relation between expressive suppression and psychological health is attenuated among samples with Eastern cultural values. However, culture is dynamic and constantly changing. This study aims to propose a more complete mapping of expressive suppression in cultural contexts. The method used was a literature review. Expressive suppression seems to have 4 various results; 1) expressive suppression is not proven to be different between two cultures, 2) expressive suppression has attenuated effects in interdependent cultures, 3) can be adaptive, and 4) can be maladaptive. The researchers advise to consider 4 important factors and its relation to culture that influence consequences of expressive suppression; context in which the strategy is used, the type of emotion suppressed, the level of emotional suppression one perceives, as well as the combination of emotion regulation strategies used. Further studies are needed to examine the use of expressive suppression and its impact on diverse cultural backgrounds, as most studies only sampled individuals with Asian (Chinese) and American/European cultures. More studies are also needed within the Asian group because there is a huge possibility of heterogeneity.
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