Exploring Emotional Regulation in the Bhutanese Community: Cultural Beliefs, Strategies, and the Role of Religion

This qualitative project aims to explore how members of the Bhutanese community perceive and regulate their emotions. Specifically, it will investigate the meaning they attribute to different emotions, the expected and preferred ways to manage them, and the perceived consequences of various emotional regulation strategies. The research will also examine which strategies are considered maladaptive, how religious doctrine and practices are used to address emotional challenges, and the community’s understanding of what constitutes “good” emotional regulation. The study will involve multiple groups, including counselors and Bhutanese monks from both the younger and older generations, to provide a broad perspective on cultural influences and intergenerational differences in emotional regulation practices. This project will provide valuable insights into the cultural, religious, and social frameworks that shape emotional regulation in Bhutanese society, offering a deeper understanding of how emotions are understood and managed within this community.