The Healthy Human: American and Japanese Conceptualizations of Mental Health.

This article discusses three issues concerning the field of psychology: modern psychology and its definition of mental health; Japanese ideology and its definition of mental health; and applicability of Western methods of psychotherapy to other cultures. There are at least two different definitions of good mental health and most psychotherapies in use today have developed in response to a need to promote healthy adjustment. There are at least two main problems with the definition of good mental health in modern psychology. First, the definition diminishes the value of human relationships, and second, it is not healthy for everyone in the world to follow a pre-determined ideology housed within a specific culture. The Japanese definition of mental health also has its unique problems, and some traditions within the Japanese culture have a tremendous impact on an individual's mental health. In summary, every definition of mental health has its own particular strengths and weaknesses, just as each society has its own strengths and weaknesses. If psychology is going to move towards a more international approach, the most important thing may be to acknowledge the validity of each definition and each value system. (Contains 21 references.) (JDM)