The Cultural Impact on Depression Expression and Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Help - A Comparative Study of Americans and South Koreans

This study explored whether, and how, ethnicity and individualism-collectivism are related to depression symptomatology and attitudes toward seeking professional help using a comparison of university students in the United States and South Korea. Eighty eight American college students and 95 South Korean college students participated in the study. Canonical correlation analyses revealed that low ratings on vertical individualism in American culture are related to more positive attitudes toward seeking professional help. On the basis of these findings some tentative counseling implications are considered and directions for future research are proposed.