Cultural Influences on Self-Esteem and Mental Health

At some point in our lives, most of us may have wondered – why our outward behavior is not congruent with our inner beliefs regarding existing in society. Why do we feel more like ourselves alone in our room but hesitate to express our true selves in social situations? At the same time, we also see authentic and outspoken people, both alone and in social situations. We see them voicing out their opinions with confidence and being proactive. Sometimes, we may even find their behavior a little out of line, but what is the thought process behind it?

Does Culture Play A Role in Self-Esteem?

The easiest explanation could be that the environment in which some people grow up is different from that in which others grow up. The most evident factor is Culture. As social beings, we humans have our own 'culture' with which we identify. Usually, the teachings of that Culture define our actions, thoughts, and even feelings to some extent. In simpler terms, from the vast cultures across the world, there are two types of ideologies that these cultures identify with. Collectivistic and Individualistic.

Individualistic vs. Collectivistic

Individualistic values focus on the individual only, encouraging independence and prioritizing self over others. On the other hand, Collectivistic values emphasize being together as a community and prioritizing the needs of the society over the self. The world is divided into two influences - Western and Eastern. Western culture displays and encourages individualistic ideology, while Eastern Culture embodies collectivistic values.

What Is Self-esteem?

Self-esteem is how we perceive and value ourselves. It indicates how we behave in society, how much worth we assign ourselves, and how we embody the confidence that comes with it. In other words, this can also be called self-confidence—your confidence in yourself. Someone with high self-esteem has better inner resources to deal with mental and emotional adversities, in contrast to someone with low self-esteem.

Influence of Culture

Culture does have a considerable influence on one's self-esteem. According to studies in this area, self-esteem is often tied to one's perception of how much of a 'good person' they are. The definition of 'good' varies, which leads to societal expectations entering the picture.

In a collectivistic society, being good is associated with being selfless or not recognising one's wins openly. So, the expectation is to not come off as someone who brags about their accomplishments, even if the intention behind it is purely innocent. In an individualistic society, people are encouraged to share their achievements as they add to their worth and are considered admirable.

Research says that to look good in society, people who are part of the collectivistic society will try to downplay their achievements and are less likely to associate themselves with their hard-earned success than their Western counterparts. This is due to the positive self-views that are prioritized in each of the cultures. As Eastern Culture focuses more on the community, priority is given to serving society rather than oneself, resulting in looking at personal wins unfavorably and decreasing self-esteem.

On the other hand, as Westerners attach their self-worth directly to their achievements and accomplishments and not to the role that society may or may not have played in it, it is seen that their perception of themselves is equally positive, and they present themselves as more competent. This adds to their high self-esteem.

How Do We Challenge And Break Free from Societal Expectations?

For an individual from a collectivistic background, breaking free can be incredibly challenging. Although challenging, it is not impossible. The following techniques can help in the process:

Introspection is the way

Take some time aside to think about what your belief system is. Think about your values, principles, and characteristics that make you 'uniquely you.' This will help you recognise the negative patterns, the factors that influence you, and the people who may pressure you into conforming to socio-cultural norms despite them being against your values.

Reflect And Reframe

Reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Reflect on the instances where you felt your inner world aligned with your outer world. The events that help you grow vs. the ones that bring you down. This will help you gain further clarity on who you are.

Check for any negative thoughts that may be holding you back. Challenge such thoughts, question their relevance, and reframe them in a positive way that helps you move towards your goal!

Accept And Acknowledge

Reflect on your achievements, breakthrough moments, accomplishments, and acts of service. Accept them as your own, and acknowledge the hard work, efforts, and feelings you put into them to turn those ideas into successes. Understand that all the positive worth you put in the world is your own.

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Setting Boundaries

Although it is common knowledge to say 'no,' it can be challenging for people who have been the victims of people-pleasing for years to execute it. You can start by saying no to small requests you would not like to accept and gradually move toward expressing your unwillingness to comply with requests that are against your principles. So setting healthy boundaries is very important.

Be kind (to yourself first!)

If you find yourself at a crossroads with the ideal societal image, always prioritize what is good for your mental health. It is OK not to be OK. Your self-worth is not associated with or determined by a third party. If you make a mistake or become unhappy with your decision, forgive yourself. There is always a next time so be compassionate to yourself along with others.

Prioritize your interests

Humans can do many things, but focusing on doing things that bring us joy is crucial. Do not let societal expectations hold you back from pursuing your passions. Go for that hobby that you have always wanted to try out but could not due to the pressure of how you will be perceived by society. Take part in activities that genuinely give you the feeling of warmth and satisfaction.

Keep your enemies close but your support system closer.

There will be instances where the people who no longer serve your interests and growth must go. Prioritize people who respect your thoughts, wishes, and opinions and support you regardless. Talk with your close ones about how you feel and how they can help you grow. You can also seek out professional help in the form of support groups and therapy.

Breaking free from the imposed expectations can be tricky. Still, we can tackle it using our inner resources such as resilience, presence of mind, and openness to change and become a more authentic version of ourselves.