DEVIATION FROM IDEAL MENTAL HEALTH

• WHO INTRODUCED THE SIX CHARACTERISTICS INDICATING MENTAL HEALTH AND WHEN?

  Marie Jahoda (1958)
• SIX CHARACTERISTICS THAT INDICATE MENTAL HEALTH?

  1. Self attitude
  2. Personal growth
  3. Integration
  4. Perception of reality
  5. Autonomy
  6. Mastery of the environment
• WHAT COMES UNDER SELF-ATTITUDE?

  • high self-esteem/ sense of identity
  • positive view of self
• WHAT COMES UNDER PERSONAL GROWTH?

  • develop full capabilities
  • to achieve self-actualisation/ full potential
• WHAT COMES UNDER INTEGRATION?

  • ability to cope in stressful situations
  • healthy balance of consciousness
  • how well your processes are integrated
• WHAT COMES UNDER PERCEPTION OF REALITY?

  • ability to distinguish/ being aware of what is and isn't real
  • perceiving self accurately
  • having realistic view of the world
• WHAT COMES UNDER AUTONOMY?

  • being independent
  • being able to self-regulate (controlling emotions, desires, behaviour)
• WHAT COMES UNDER MASTERY OF THE ENVIRONMENT?

  • ability to love
  • ability to function at work
  • ability to function/ create relationships
  • ability to adjust to new situations
  • ability to solve problems
• STRENGTHS OF DEVIATION FROM IDEAL MENTAL HEALTH DEFINITION?

  • looks positively at mental health
  • states ideal to aim for
  • fewer stigmas against people with abnormalities (not labelled deviant, failure, rare)
  • very comprehensive
  • covers range of criteria (collectivist)
  • benefits of seeking treatment are clear
• WEAKNESS OF DEVIATION FROM IDEAL MENTAL HEALTH DEFINITION?

  • cultural relativism
  • based on Western ideas of self-fulfilment/ individuality
  • not aimed at holistic cultures (greater good for community)
  • criteria impossible to meet all at once
  • would label many as mentally unhealthy
  • more focussed definition required when diagnosing severe disorders