With the increasing prevalence of cross-cultural educational activities, mental health is encountering new challenges. The crossing of cultural boundaries profoundly shapes emotional states, with sustained exposure to maladaptive emotions posing significant risks to psychological well-being. Ideal affect, one’s desired emotional states, is mainly nourished by cultural factors. When an individual’s actual affect aligns with the culturally endorsed ideal affect, this congruence can foster psychological health. Moreover, ideal affect serves as a key factor influencing how people regulate their emotions. Individuals typically adopt regulatory approaches that conform to the ideal affect valued within their cultural context. The application of adaptive emotion regulation strategies is pivotal in promoting mental well-being and adjustment. Understanding how emotion regulation differs across cultures is crucial for better addressing mental health needs in cross-cultural learning environments.