The Self in Buddhism and Self-Development Goals in Western Psychology: A Cross-Cultural Review of Adolescent Self-Development

From a cross-cultural perspective, this study focuses on the field of adolescent self-development, systematically examining the core connotations of the conception of the self in Buddhism and the goals of self-development in Western psychology. Employing a literature review method, it compares the similarities and differences between the two in terms of theoretical foundations, developmental pathways, and ultimate orientations. Furthermore, by integrating empirical studies on adolescent self-development, the study explores the differentiated goals of adolescent self-development in cross-cultural contexts and their cultural roots. The study finds that Buddhism centers on the concept of “nonself ”, advocating the transcendence of attachment to the “self ” through spiritual practices such as meditation and mindfulness, thereby achieving liberation from individual limitations. In contrast, Western psychology—represented by psychoanalysis, self-identity theory, and other frameworks—takes “self-construction” as its core, emphasizing the formation of a stable, independent, and socially adaptive self through processes like separation-individuation and identity exploration. While the two differ significantly in their cognitive starting points regarding the “self ” and their developmental goals, they share complementarity in practical aspects such as regulating the relationship between the self and others and promoting mental health. This study provides a theoretical basis for understanding the diversity of adolescent self-development in cross-cultural contexts and offers cross-culturally integrated insights for adolescent mental health education and intervention.