Mental Health in East Asia: Cultural Beliefs, Social Networks, and Mental Health Experiences

This pioneering monograph examines how culture informs popular understandings and experiences of mental health in East Asia, as well as providing resolutions for the future.

Questions about mental health problems have gained new urgency as their consequences are growing more visible in East Asia. Yet, our understanding, funding, and evidence has not kept pace. Anson Au explores the social and psychological concepts, and network structures that make up the blueprint of East Asian cultures and untangles their myriad of influences on how people think, feel, and trust with respect to mental health experiences. Chapters explore themes such as cultural beliefs about mental health, the role of social support and social media, and mental health stigma.

Drawing on the latest quantitative evidence, network science, and novel qualitative data, this book paints a portrait of mental health in the region and articulates culturally sensitive policies and practices tailored for East Asian cultures that improve mental health experiences.

Anson Au, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Sociology at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. An award-winning author of over forty scientific articles, he is an expert sociologist on economic sociology, social networks, digitalization, and professions and organizations, with a regional focus on East Asia.