Massage Therapy Journal Summer 2025

42 • Massage Therapy Journal

AMTA Continuing Education

Dimension 6: Indulgence Versus Restraint Indulgence versus restraint refers to gratification versus control of basic human desires related to the enjoyment of life. This cultural dimension is largely based on people’s attitudes toward happiness, pleasure and relaxation, and how these things rank in importance. Societies with an indulgent orientation tend to value individual happiness and well-being, and society allows people to freely gratify their

natural desires for fun and enjoyment. Societies with a restrained orientation tend to value controlling desires and adhering to social norms. A high indulgence versus restraint index (IVR) indicates that a society embraces the idea of expressing their happiness, pleasure and emotions. A low IVR indicates that a society is more inclined to suppress gratification and the expression of emotions. IVRs tend to be high in South and North America, in Western Europe, and in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. IVRs are lower in

High Long-Term Orientation

Low Long-Term Orientation

Most important events in life will occur in the future Most important events in life occurred in the past or take place now What is good and evil depends upon the circumstances There are universal guidelines about what is good and evil Traditions are adaptable to changed circumstances Traditions are sacred Attempt to learn from other countries Pride in one’s country Large savings quota, funds available for investment Social spending and consumption

Students attribute success to effort and failure to lack of effort Fast economic growth of countries up to a level of prosperity

Students attribute success and failure to luck

Slow or no economic growth of poor countries

High Indulgence More extroverts Indulgence Versus Restraint Long Term vs Short Term Orientation Leisure ethic Higher percentage of people declaring themselves very happy A perception of personal life control Freedom of speech seen as important More likely to remember positive emotions In countries with educated populations, higher birthrates In countries with enough food, higher percentages of obese people In wealthy countries, lenient sexual norms Maintaining order in the nation is not given a high priority

High Restraint More introverts

Work ethic

Fewer very happy people

A perception of helplessness: what happens to me is not my own doing

Freedom of speech is not a primary concern Less likely to remember positive emotions

In countries with educated populations, lower birthrates

In countries with enough food, fewer obese people

In wealthy countries, stricter sexual norms

Higher number of police officers per 100,000 population

Higher crime rates

Lower crime rates

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