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The "concept-reality mismatch" in the globalization era as a psychosocial stressor contributing to the occurrence of mental disorders.

AIMS: The "concept-reality mismatch" in the globalization era is a novel conceptualization of psychosocial stress due to difficulties in experiencing five of the most important positive emotions for psychological well-being. These emotions are love, trust, faith, pleasure and self-esteem.

METHODS: a narrative overview of the literature using the terms "positive emotions," "positive psychology," "globalization" and "self-discrepancy" has been done. Selected articles are those considered to support the basic ideas mentioned in this hypothesis.

RESULTS: Differences in how adolescents and young adults experience positive emotions in real life in relation to their conceptual background exist. Authentic love described in books and movies might become perceived as more difficult to find. Trust, in the era of long distance relationships, is being built based on different criteria than those adolescents and young adults are taught to apply. Faith is challenged by the facility of accessing scientific data and by the lack of parental positive influence towards religiosity. Pleasure is being claimed as a right to cope with stress even artificially. Self-esteem is becoming more and more restricted to wealth, beauty and fame as promoted by modern communication technologies.

CONCLUSIONS: The "concept-reality mismatch" may be considered as an essential and preventable psychosocial stressor contributing to the development of mental and substance use disorders in the modern world. Studies evaluating this hypothesis and elaborating on its management strategies are needed in the near future.

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