Psychological Approaches to Fostering Positive Emotions in Cultural Context

Cultural belief, syndromes, idioms of distress and culture-based explanatory models play crucial role in emotional and psychological health. This chapter highlights the role of various cultural factors in shaping emotional distress and psychopathology. Further, it discusses various Western psychotherapeutic approaches as well as indigenous methods to foster emotional well-being in cross-cultural contexts. The efficacy and usefulness of adapted psychotherapy in cross-cultural contexts are explored. Finally, the implications of cultural context for mental health practitioners are highlighted.