Cards (2)

    • 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