This study explores between-culture and within-culture variations in the health implications of ideal-actual affect discrepancies in American and Taiwanese culture. It further examines social connectedness as a potential underlying mechanism explaining these relationships across cultures. Participants from both cultural groups completed measures of affect discrepancies (positive and negative), self-perceived stress, psychological well-being, and social connectedness through a survey. The findings revealed that while cultural differences in the valuation of ideal affect were evident, they did not correspond to within-culture patterns. Additionally, American participants’ health outcomes were more strongly influenced by affect discrepancies than those of Taiwanese participants. Social connectedness emerged as an explanatory mediator of these relationships, though the extent of its mediating effect varied across cultures and health indicators. These findings contribute to understanding the role of affect discrepancies in health, highlighting their potential to reflect mismatched emotional goals shaped by cultural norms.