Greetings! As a Central American woman immigrant to the USA from Costa Rica, I understand the importance of cultural context in personality functioning. Each culture has its unique history, values, and practices that influence individuals and families in different ways, affecting personality development and formation.
As a DBT therapist, I recognize that personality disorders present with considerable cultural differences. In fact, cultural norms and context have a significant impact on core personality problems such as emotion dysregulation and interpersonal functioning. That is why the assessment and treatment of personality traits and disorders need to take into account the individual’s culture and society in which they live.
Recent studies have emphasized the importance of understanding patients in a sociocultural context, with attention to the dynamic interactions between personality traits, developmental histories, and the current social situation. For example, in East Asia, the diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD) has been met with skepticism by the Chinese psychiatric community. They contend that some of BPD’s diagnostic criteria, such as fear of abandonment, are not appropriate in the Chinese cultural context, which values collectivistic identities and enmeshed relationships. It is important to consider these cultural differences when diagnosing and treating personality disorders.
Moving from one cultural context to another can also create significant mental challenges. Acculturation, the process of cultural and psychological change in the meeting between countries and cultures, can be a bi-dimensional process with a dual task, to adjust and orient towards the new culture as well as to incorporate and leave behind the culture of origin. Ideally, acculturation can result in integration and personal growth with balanced attitudes towards both the new culture and the culture of origin. However, it can also involve difficulties separating from the culture of origin while incorporating a new culture and maintaining meaningful bonds with the culture of origin, putting specific stress on personality functioning.
As a DBT therapist, I believe in the potential for positive outcomes in therapy for individuals who are struggling with cultural differences in their personality functioning. By taking into account cultural context, we can create a more holistic approach to understanding and treating personality traits and disorders. With open communication and a willingness to explore the unique challenges of cultural differences, we can help individuals achieve personal growth and integration.
