CULTURAL NEUROSCIENCE AND MENTAL HEALTH: UNPACKING THE INTERSECTION OF CULTURE, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR

Abstract

Cultural neuroscience is an interdisciplinary field that explores how cultural factors shape brain function, cognition, and behavior, offering profound insights into mental health. This chapter examines the intersection of culture, brain, and mental health, emphasizing the impact of cultural norms, practices, and values on neural processes and psychological outcomes. It highlights evidence showing how cultural variations influence language processing, emotional regulation, and social cognition, and how these factors contribute to differences in the manifestation of mental health disorders across populations. The chapter also addresses mental health disparities, focusing on sociocultural stressors, stigma, and the limitations of Western-centric diagnostic frameworks.