UC Irvine

Mental wellbeing has emerged as a vital component of overall health and has drawn increased attention amid growing public awareness of mental health concerns. However, current research predominantly reflects Western cultural perspectives, leaving gaps in our understanding of mental wellbeing and coping strategies from Eastern cultural viewpoints. To start to address this disparity, I examine the mental wellbeing of Taiwanese individuals, particularly focusing on those in their emerging adulthood aged between 18 and 29—a demographic uniquely susceptible to mental health challenges due to the transitional nature of this life phase. Through 19 interviews with Taiwanese emerging adults, I explore their conceptualization of mental wellbeing, the challenges they encounter, the strategies they employ for managing mental wellbeing, and the role of digital tools in this process. My thesis contributes to the HCI literature by shedding light on various aspects of mental wellbeing, including its conceptualization, contributing factors, and coping mechanisms, from an East Asian cultural perspective. Additionally, it highlights the intricate influence of cultural, political, social, individual, and technological factors, and their interactions on mental wellbeing.