Problems and adaptive functioning reported by adults in 17 societies

Abstract

This study tested for similarities and differences across societies in self-ratings ofproblems, personal strengths, and aspects of adaptive functioning on the Adult Self-Report (ASR) for nonclinical samples of adults ages 18 to 59 in 17 societies (N 10,197). Results indicated considerable consistency across societies regarding meanratings on the ASR problem items. Most effect sizes (ESs) for societal differences inproblem scales were small (2?5%). Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) analysesindicated that culture clusters and society accounted for small percentages of variancein Internalizing, Externalizing, and Total Problems scores, with most of the variationaccounted for by individual differences within societies. In contrast to the small effectsof society on problem scores, for the ASR Personal Strengths scale the societal ES was 34%and culture cluster accounted for 12% of the variance. Worse reported relations withspouse/partner were associated with higher problem scores. Overall, findings indicatedconsiderable similarity but also some important differences in self-reported problems andadaptive functioning across 17 societies.