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Psychopathological symptoms in two generations of the same family: a cross-cultural comparison

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Abstract

Purpose

The main aims of the present study were to compare the frequency and correlates of psychopathological symptoms in two generations of the same family in Japan and in England.

Methods

The sample included 689 adolescents and one of their parents/guardians. All participants completed a set of questionnaires to measure psychopathological symptoms, self-construals, and perceived social support.

Results

In both parent and adolescent data, the Japanese sample reported significantly lower psychopathological symptoms than the English sample. The relationship between parental and adolescent psychopathology was significant in England, but not in Japan. In both countries, perceived social support and independent self-construal were generally associated with less psychopathological symptoms, and interdependent self-construal was associated with more symptoms. Additionally, in England, a significant interaction effect was found between social support and the self-construals. Participants with low independent and high interdependent self-construal had elevated levels of psychopathological symptoms when perceived social support was low.

Conclusions

The present study illustrates the importance of culture in the transmission of psychopathological symptoms across different generations in the same family.

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Acknowledgments

This study is part of a research project on the Intergenerational Transmission of Anxiety in the UK and in Japan, funded by the British Council under the “PMI2 Connect—Research Co-operation Award” (RC 87) to University of Roehampton and University of Miyazaki. Project managed by Cecilia A. Essau and Shin-ichi Ishikawa.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Whitelands College, University of Roehampton, Holybourne Avenue, London, SW15 4JD, UK

    Cecilia A. Essau, George A. Georgiou, Jean O’Callaghan & Diane Bray

  2. Faculty of Psychology, Doshisha University, 1-3 Tatara Miyakodani, Kyoto, Japan

    Shin-ichi Ishikawa

  3. Faculty of Human Sciences, Mejiro University, Tokyo, Japan

    Satoko Sasagawa

  4. Faculty of Applied Sociology, Kinki University, Osaka, Japan

    Kanako Otsui

  5. Faculty of Sociology, Kansai University, Osaka, Japan

    Hiroshi Sato

  6. Japan Somnology Center, Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan

    Isa Okajima

Authors
  1. Cecilia A. Essau
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  2. Shin-ichi Ishikawa
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  3. Satoko Sasagawa
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  4. Kanako Otsui
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  5. Hiroshi Sato
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  6. Isa Okajima
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  7. George A. Georgiou
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  8. Jean O’Callaghan
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  9. Diane Bray
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Cecilia A. Essau.

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Essau, C.A., Ishikawa, Si., Sasagawa, S. et al. Psychopathological symptoms in two generations of the same family: a cross-cultural comparison. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 48, 2017–2026 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-013-0673-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-013-0673-3

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