Acculturation, Distress Disclosure, and Emotional Self-Disclosure Within Asian Populations

Research into youth mentoring suggests that programs focused on specific practices (e. g., emotional disclosure and collaborative relationships) increase the likelihood of a successful mentoring relationship, factors similar to the psychotherapy literature. However, research into psychotherapy with Asians has indicated that these factors, based on Western values, are less effective, especially with those who are less acculturated. To test the relevance of these factors within mentor-type relationships, this study examined the relationship between acculturation and distress disclosure, and the relationship between acculturation and the retrospective willingness to emotionally self-disclose to friends and unrelated, trusted adults in 98 participants representing several ethnic Asian backgrounds. Both values-based and behaviorally based acculturation measures were used. Values-based, but not behaviorally based acculturation, predicted distress disclosure (i.e., less acculturated individuals were less likely to disclose distress). Using an imagery protocol, participants were then asked to think back to adolescence and indicate their willingness to self-disclose emotions to friends and unrelated, trusted adults. Participants were more willing to self-disclose emotions to friends compared to unrelated, trusted adults, regardless of values acculturation level. However, a significant interaction occurred in an unanticipated direction using behaviorally based acculturation. Less behaviorally acculturated individuals were more willing to disclose emotions to unrelated, trusted adults compared to more behaviorally acculturated individuals. Discussion regarding the results revolved around the utility of a behavioral measure of acculturation, values and behaviors in acculturation, the role of older persons in Asian culture, and the possible role of community in the acculturation process.