disrupted collectivism: it’s impact on mental health

For many of us who descend from a collectivist culture, there is a tangible dissonance that exists when we inherit a collectivist set of beliefs but are raised in or actively part of an individualistic culture. Likely incepted and evolved over generations as a tool for survival, in many collectivistic cultures there is an embodied sense of duty and shared responsibility that comes with being one part of a whole. The dissonance comes in when we or our families leave the safety net of communities and support systems that are often the bedrock of collectivist cultures- though even after leaving, continue to embody a collectivist belief and value system. These beliefs and values may also be passed on to new generations who were not born in their parent’s country of origin, and are now living in a significantly different social environment. Perhaps with the exception of those who have immigrated and been able to develop a tight knit immigrant community with shared values, commitments and responsibility, those without that are left to grapple with the impact of disrupted collectivism. That is, inheriting and embodying the belief of your duty and sense of responsibility to the collective, but not having the access to communities and families with whom responsibility is shared. The result of that might look like duty and responsibility being inequitably placed on a select one or few. But without the same support systems in place, this can impact our sense of mental wellness, leading to feeling overwhelmed, resentful, guilty (e.g. I feel guilty because what I am doing is not in line with what I am supposed to be doing) and internalizing shame and self-blaming (e.g. Me as a person is wrong or bad for not living up to what I am supposed to be doing, and I blame myself). The dissonance is also of mind-body; we might cognitively know or believe in our sense of responsibility but our bodies physically do not have the capacity to shoulder the burden of what was meant for a collective. Reach out to continue the conversation!