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Cultural identifiers -

What are cultural identifiers? Shared language, ethnic identification, geographical similarities, religious or political affiliation, or even gender expression, can all be considered cultural identifiers.

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How we move through the world -

While these identifiers can be quite nuanced, they do determine how we move through the world. A person’s personal connection and identification with a cultural group form a multifaceted understanding of how they identify as a person.

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Support -

Our cultural identities not only contribute to how we view ourselves but also who we consider part of our support communities.

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Cultural markers -

For many people, our cultural markers help us connect with others, identifying which communities we exist within that make us feel ‘seen’ through shared experiences.

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Mental health -

If we understand that culture shapes our perspective, we can also understand how it can impact our mental health and how we seek support within that context.

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Stigma -

Stigmas that certain communities may hold may actually prevent us from seeking help when we need it out of fear of being ostracized or judged.

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Avoiding therapy -

These stigmas can be so strong that they prevent us from using resources like therapy, even in the times when we most need it.

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Understanding of selves -

This is one perspective on the connection with how culture can impact our understanding of ourselves and psychology at large.

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Strong connections -

Yet, research shows that having a strong cultural connection is one of the biggest markers of better mental health outcomes.

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Mental health outcomes -

A 2018 study on Maori youth in New Zealand, who comprise the country’s indigenous groups found that those who held strong cultural ties also had better mental health.

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Marginalized communities -

Particularly in marginalized communities who face discrimination, issues of mental health and well-being may be more prevalent. Having a community that understands your needs and challenges can help you feel less alienated.

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Example -

For example, trans youth may face discrimination not only from peers but from family members. By being part of a community of other trans people, they may experience a decreased sense of exclusion.

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Community belonging -

One of the challenges of community belonging, though, is who is considered part of the community and who is not.

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Divorce -

In the context of religious belonging, a site of worship may bring people together to find support in times of need. But, for example, if a community member decides to divorce and this principle goes against what the group finds to be acceptable behavior, the person may suddenly find themselves ostracized from their community.

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Feeling of exclusion -

Due to something like their new marital status, the sudden feeling of exclusion may be very painful, as they no longer adhere to the community’s expectations.

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Self-esteem -

From the perspective of psychology, the creation of cultural identity is a complex process that promotes an individual’s self-esteem.

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Classification -

Humans seek the need for classification to both distinguish themselves from others and use their adherence to particular groups to construct their own identities.

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Cognitive security -

This membership in a particular cultural group is a method that humans use to foster their own self-esteem, gain a sense of cognitive security, and most importantly, build a sense of belonging.

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National identity -

This is evident in something as simple as national identity. Among immigrants, those who have positive perceptions of their countries of origin also have a tendency toward greater levels of self-esteem when establishing themselves in a new country.

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More at ease -

Studies also show that those who have a strong basis of cultural identity also feel more at ease in adapting to others' values and attitudes.

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Other correlations -

Among most studies, there is a clear correlation between socioeconomic status, political empowerment, and historical perceptions of one’s own cultural groups.

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Challenges -

The more discrimination that a group faces in their own cultural context or in new environments, the more challenges that one may feel in forming and developing new cultural identities.

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Embracing cultural identity -

What are some strategies to better embrace your cultural identity? The first is to embrace the communities you are part of and the support you receive from them.

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Unique experiences -

The second is to recognize and honor the unique experiences you have within your culture, rejecting the stereotypes or stigmas that exist.

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Open mind -

The third is to have an open mind about others' cultural identities, while still maintaining a strong understanding of your own.

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Further your sense of self -

Most humans seek a sense of belonging and community. Creating cross-cultural connections can actually help to further your sense of self, instead of threatening or diminishing it.

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Rich perspective -

Those who belong to several cultural groups or identities obtain a rich sense of perspective in the way that they view the world.

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Code-switching -

Even with challenges like ‘code-switching,’ in which you may have to express yourself differently among different groups depending on the setting, there is great benefit to immersing yourself into a multitude of cultural identities.

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Community increases life span -

Finding community can help us live longer. Studies demonstrate that those with a strong sense of cultural identity actually have longer life spans.

Sources: (VeryWell) (Journal of Psychological Research) (Young Minds)

See also: 60 ways to serve your community

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