Cross-cultural differences in somatic awareness and interoceptive accuracy: a review of the literature and directions for future research

Abstract

This review examines cross-cultural differences in interoception and the role of culturally bound epistemologies, historical traditions, and contemplative practices to assess four aspects of culture and interoception: (1) the extent to which members from Western and non-Western cultural groups exhibit differential levels of interoceptive accuracy and somatic awareness; (2) the mechanistic origins that can explain these cultural differences, (3) culturally bound behavioral practices that have been empirically shown to affect interoception, and (4) consequences for culturally bound psychopathologies. The following outlines the scope of the scientific review. Part 1 reviews studies on cultural variation in spontaneous somatic word use, linguistic expressions, traditional medical practices, and empirical laboratory studies to assess the evidence for cultural differences in somatic processes. Integration of these findings suggests a startling paradox: on the one hand, non-Western cultures consistently exhibit heightened somatic focus and awareness across a variety of contexts; on the other hand, non-Western cultures also exhibit less interoceptive accuracy in laboratory studies. Part 2 discusses the various mechanistic explanations that have been proposed to explain these cultural differences in somatic awareness and interoceptive accuracy, focusing on cultural schemas and epistemologies. Part 3 addresses the behavioral and contemplative practices that have been proposed as possible “interventions,” or methods of cultivating bodily awareness and perceptual accuracy. Finally, Part 4 reviews the consequences of interoception for psychopathology, including somatization, body dysmorphia, eating disorders, and anxiety disorders.

“A life of living death”: the experiences of people living with chronic low back pain in rural Nigeria

“…The expression of psychological states using bodily cues has been reported to reinforce physical symptoms. [56] Spirituality may however play adaptive role in influencing spiritbody dualism. Spiritual health was reflected in the belief that faith made all things possible, therefore if participants believed that they were healthy, this might facilitate a relinquishing of the sick role, leading to more active self-management with an internal locus of control.…”

Somatic Symptoms in the German General Population from 1975 to 2013

“…Changes of psychiatric classification 12,13 and social context may alter somatic symptom reporting 14 along with media coverage of health risks and iatrogenic factors 15 . As studies have mostly been cross-sectional and assessment methods have changed 16 , little is known about trends of somatic symptoms in the general population over time 10 . While numerous international studies and the growing awareness of mental health tend to create the impression that we are facing a surge of mental disorders, evidence is contradictory.…”

Validation of an electronic version of the Self‐Awareness Questionnaire in English and Italian healthy samples

“…Interoception is an important component of emotional regulation, and it is recognized that bodily state representations are also shaped by cultures (Ma‐Kellams, ). It has been shown that European Americans have better abilities in perceiving bodily sensations (i.e., interceptive accuracy) compared with West Africans or Asians (Chentsova‐Dutton & Dzokoto, ; Ma‐Kellams, Blascovich, & Mccall, ).…”