Culture, Interpersonal Stress, and Psychological Distress

The present study examined cultural differences in interpersonal stress experiences in Japan and the United States. Japanese and U.S. students completed a questionnaire that included measures of interpersonal stressors, the behavior inhibition system (BIS), and psychological distress. As hypothesized, frequency of interpersonal friction was higher in Japan than in the United States, whereas frequency of interpersonal conflict did not differ across cultures. BIS partially mediated relationships between culture and frequency of interpersonal friction.