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MODULE 8 ASSESSMENT PAPER.
Module 8 Assessment Paper
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MODULE 8 ASSESSMENT PAPER.
Part 1: Happiness and Well-Being
Happiness can be perceived and understood in different ways based on various factors
of cultural influence. A renowned scholar, Veenhoven, defined happiness as a state in which an
individual appreciates his life as a whole(Veenhoven, 2010, p. 2 para. 3). Another scholar,
Oishi(2018), also defines the state of happiness as a kind of good fortune, and goes on to state
that happiness could result from either correct behaviours or from doing something good. The
diverse descriptions of happiness all over the world lead our minds to perceive happiness in
different ways. The three primary influential aspects which cross-culturally impact the well-
being and happiness of people in the new nation depend on the state of the community
regarding the living conditions, laws, marriage or relationships, and collectivist vs. Individualist
cultures.
Law and order in any society are usually built on restriction and allowance of behaviours
that only function for the greater good. However, these laws also can determine whether or not
the residents of that community are happy, this is because these regulations could either
infringe on or hinder the growth of the society by limiting their freedom or could boost and
promote growth(Suh & Koo, 2009). In addition, it is also important to consider whether the
laws put in place are in line with the cultural beliefs and values since this could also influence
happiness either positively or negatively (Veenhoven, 2010). Human beings all over the
universe have the urge to feel in power or control of their life and this can only be achieved
through having the freedom to choose alongside other rights and freedoms, which is the reason
why happiness is closely related to perceived freedom(Veenhoven, 2010). The availability of
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resources or the living conditions of the new nation also matter. This is because these
conditions dictate whether individuals can reach their personal life goals or support their
families thus influencing their happiness(Veenhoven, 2010).
Happiness can also be greatly influenced by the close relationships that people
experience or marriage. Whenever people hang around people they truly love and care for, for
instance, their family and friends, they tend to become more happier and satisfied with their
life(Veenhoven, 2010). Veenhoven(2010) adds that grown-up people tend to express more
satisfaction and happiness with life when they have a spouse of their own or are married while
those that are single and staying alone often do not express happiness and contentment.
Indeed, most adults across different cultures try to find some sort of companion regardless of
different views when it comes to marriage. It is not correct to state that marriage shall always
be a source of happiness but it must be noted that having a spouse and someone you can trust
as a life partner brings about some feelings of happiness when compared to living alone.
Thirdly, another factor that influences happiness is the area or community in which
individual lives and also the nature of cultural views which might either be individualistic or
collectivistic(Colby, 2009). Certain cultures such as that of the Chinese portray a collectivist
culture and thus tend to concentrate more on finding happiness often through a balanced
lifestyle away from their personal or private spectrum into their community and families (Oishi,
2018). It must be noted that a collectivist culture tends to foster social harmony which helps in
promoting tranquil existence and long-lasting peace unlike the individualistic culture(Suh &
Koo, 2009). Cultures that are mainly individualistic for instance that of the United States tend to
concentrate more on personal desires, wants, and needs to generate feelings of happiness and
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satisfaction(Suh & Koo, 2009). Individualistic cultures often are characterized by self-serving
motives which seek to gain momentary happiness via individual gain.
Happiness could therefore be changed and influenced by the general state of the society
in terms of people’s living conditions and the laws put in place, as well as their marriages or
relationships, and collectivist vs. Individualist cultures. The three described influences are very
essential and significant for a nation’s happiness and well-being since with the above
knowledge, we can enlighten other people and establish a happier nation. In addition, this
information can help us to better serve and cater for the needs of people from different
backgrounds but living within the new nation since we shall understand them in greater detail.
The nation could therefore incorporate laws that promote freedom and individual growth and
thus encourage feelings of happiness given that people will have an opportunity to make their
own choices and be in control of their lives.
Part 2: Psychological Distress and Disorder
Acculturative stressors have long been a major influence on psychological disorders and
distress. These stressors could include being separated from family, difficulties with
communication, pressures to assimilate and adapt to a different culture, and conflicts emerging
from multi-family households. Most of these stressors are commonly experienced by
immigrants(Hwang, et al., 2008). Having to learn and blend into a different culture could cause
serious physical and mental health risks. For instance, research currently completed shows that
Latinos who have been born in the USA experience various physical and mental illnesses unlike
those that are born in their native state(Hwang, et al., 2008). Making people aware of such
stressors among immigrants could help individuals to become more welcoming, helpful, and
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compassionate towards such victims which allows the immigrants to happily brace their original
culture and the new one (Hwang, et al., 2008).
Discrimination as well as racism can also be a serious influential aspect of people’s
mental health. This stressor is often experienced by minority groups since they are at risk of
being exposed to such (Hwang, et al., 2008). Discrimination whether racial or any kind could
negatively impact a person’s health no matter whether the discrimination was not intentional,
or not openly perceived or displayed (Hwang, et al., 2008). Discrimination affects minority
groups in various ways regarding cultural, social, and economic wealth inheritance(Hwang, et
al., 2008). In addition, a person’s socioeconomic status can negatively or positively impact his or
her overall health. Research has for instance discovered that depression is often caused by low
socioeconomic status. Being able to comprehend the effects brought about by white privilege,
as well as discrimination and racism helps raise awareness of social differences and calls for
social reforms (Hwang, et al., 2008).
Somatization is yet another important topic that must be mentioned. This refers to
expressing distress using physical symptoms. Somatization tends to vary across different
cultural groups given that distress could impact different parts of the body and showcase
distinct social significance or relevance(Hwang, et al., 2008). For instance, the majority of Asian
cultures have been observed to portray aromatic symptoms as a result of being socially
discouraged which they express either emotionally or verbally. Being able to learn and
understand cultural somatization assists practitioners to better help and offer viable treatment
for those patients from diverse cultures. Being able to approach one another with a clear and
open mindset when it comes to understanding symptoms and what they could mean for an
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individual rather than what the symptoms mean in our perception shall be more helpful and
effective to the nation and society as a whole(Mathews, 2009)
Part 3: Policy Recommendation
Psychological distress can be reduced through different recommendations. Three of
which have been presumed to be the best include 1. Schools shall delve into teaching culture
and world history in every grade. 2. Racial and any kind of discrimination shall be punished
severely andthe culprit shall face dire consequences. 3. Creation of cultural awareness seminars
or meetings open to every person. It would be a great move for schools to start teaching
culture and world history as a means of promoting awareness and knowledge concerning how
people’s places of origin could affect their beliefs and perceptions. The school curriculum only
teaches about one religion or culture or a specific group of people thus limiting the thinking
scope of our students thereby creating a disadvantage for them in future whenever they are in
a multi-cultured nation. It is my suggestion that all kinds of discrimination be accorded
additional consequences which shall help in eliminating such behaviours, thus enabling people
to experience decreased depressive and anxiety disorders linked with the effects of
discrimination(Lomas, 2016).
It is also important for cultural awareness groups to be created in society since this
provides individuals with an opportunity to gain knowledge and information from real-life
encounters (Hwang, et al., 2008). The group shall consist of individuals from diverse cultural
groups who are willing to share individual experiences and how they affected their lives. The
meetings shall be guided by mental health personnel with expertise in leading the
conversations since they surround difficult topics. Enlightening individuals that are ignorant of
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the impacts of discrimination and different cultural factors shall help in creating a society that
cares about other people thus decreasing psychological distress across the nation.
Therefore, the chosen three recommendations that I would develop to promote
happiness and psychological well-being include: 1. Creating and looking over laws previously
created to ensure that the laws encourage freedom and individual growth. 2. Creating various
social groups for community members to engage in. 3. Education the nation in different ways of
enhancing their well-being and increasing happiness that touch every culture. Additionally, I
would suggest encouragement and promotion of laws that foster freedom and growth since
people in control of their lives tend to express more happiness(Veenhoven, 2010). The creation
of social groups is also a good suggestion since it provides people with a place to visit and relate
with others without being separated by ethnicity, culture, or religion. This step shall help in
promoting relationships and friendship as well which also promotes the well-being and
happiness of the people(Veenhoven, 2010). Finally, I could suggest that the citizens of the
nation be educated about well-being and happiness since Jan beings naturally yearn to do good
for their communities and themselves as well, and therefore making them gain a better
understanding would enable them to approach others compassionately and become self-
aware.
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MODULE 8 ASSESSMENT PAPER.
References
Colby, B. (2009). Is a measure of cultural well-being possible or desirable? In G. Mathews & C.
Izquierdo (Eds.), Pursuits of happiness: Well-being in anthropological perspective
(pp.245–64). New York, NY: Berghahn Books.22
2Credit Line: Pursuits of Happiness: Well-being in Anthropological Perspective,2by Mathews, G.;
Izquierdo, C.2Copyright22009 by Berghahn Books. Reprinted by permission of2Berghahn
Books via the Copyright Clearance Center.2
Lomas, T. (2016). Towards positive cross-cultural lexicography: Enriching our emotional
landscape through 216 ‘untranslatable’ words about well-being. Journal of Positive
Psychology, 11(5), 546–588.
Oishi, S. (2018). Culture and subjective well-being: Conceptual and measurement issues. In E.
Diener, S. Oishi, & L. Tay (Eds.), Handbook of well-being. Salt Lake City, UT: DEF
Publishers. DOI: nobascholar.com Retrieved from
https://www.nobascholar.com/chapters/46/download.pdf2
Suh, E. M., & Koo, J. (2009). Comparing subjective well-being across cultures and nations: The
“what” and “why” questions. In M. Eid & R. J. Larsen (Eds.), The science of subjective
well-being (pp. 414–427). New York, NY: Guilford Press.22Credit Line: The Science of
Subjective Well-Being2by Eid, M.; Larson, R. J. (Eds).2 Copyright22009 by Guilford
Publications. Reprinted by permission of2Guilford Publications via the Copyright
Clearance Center.2
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Veenhoven, R. (2010). How universal is happiness? In E. Diener, J. F. Helliwell, & D.
Kahneman (Eds.), International differences in well-being (pp.2328–350). New York, NY:
Oxford University Press.22Credit Line: International Differences in Well-Being,2by
Diener, J.; Helliwell, J.; Kahneman, D.2Copyright22010 by Oxford University Press.
Reprinted by permission of2Oxford University Press via the Copyright Clearance Center.2
