Evaluation

• A comprehensive definition


  One strength of the ideal mental health criterion is that it is highly comprehensive:

  • Jahoda's criteria provides a range of reasons that someone might seek professional help
  • This means that individuals can discuss their mental health with relevant professionals
  • Therefore, ideal mental health provides a checklist against which we can assess others
• May be culture-bound


  One limitation of the ideal mental health criterion is that its different elements are not equally applicable across a range of cultures:

  • Some of Jahoda's criteria are firmly located in the context of the US and Europe
  • For example, low importance placed on personal independence in Italy but high in Germany
  • What defines success in out lives is different across cultures
  • Therefore, it is difficult to apply the concept of ideal mental health from one culture to another