Cultural Differences in the Perception of Personal Growth Among Adolescents
Abstract
Research shows that some adolescents experience positive psychological changes resulting from highly stressful life events. Because “positive change” is a value-laden concept, there may be cross-cultural differences in this conception of growth. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively and quantitatively assess different perceptions of personal growth across cultures. Adolescents from Japan (n = 288, Mage = 16.16) and the United States (n = 155, Mage = 16.21) completed demographic information and wrote three words describing their perception of personal growth. Results showed 443 different words generated, which were condensed into 12 categories. The types of words generated differed between nationalities, with Japanese adolescents generating more words related to social connection, and adolescents in the United States generating words related to change. Gender differences were found in physical change and age differences in the knowledge categories. Results demonstrate cross-cultural differences as well as similarities in the conceptualization of personal growth. Future research may examine how adolescents change the meaning of personal growth after experiencing personal growth resulting from a stressful life event.
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Biographies
Whitney Dominick, MS, is a 4th-year doctoral candidate in the PTG lab through the Department of Psychology at Oakland University. Although she studies PTG cross-culturally, her primary research focus concerns the impact of animals in fostering PTG.
Kanako Taku, PhD, is an associate professor of the Department of Psychology and the director of the Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) lab at Oakland University in Michigan. She has conducted PTG research cross-culturally and authored articles and books in English and Japanese.
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Article first published online: December 2, 2018
Issue published: October 2019
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Published online: December 2, 2018
Issue published: October 2019
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