deviation from ideal mental health occurs when someone does not meet a set of criteria for good mental health, which is when a person feels a state of contentment and fulfilment with themselves
Jahoda (1958) identified 6 behaviours people should possess for ideal mental health
Jahoda believed if a person did not show one of these behaviours they could be considered abnormal
examples of Jahoda's criteria for ideal mental health:
self-actualisation
accurate perception of reality
ability to adapt to environments
A limitation of ideal mental health is that its criteria is culture-bound
Some of the classifications are specific to western cultures, where there is an emphasis on the concept of self and personal achievement. This would be considered self-indulgent in many collectivist cultures like China because the emphasis is so much on the individual rather than the family/community
Because the criteria are culture-bound, the definition cannot be generalised to other countries and cultures
the characteristics proposed by Jahoda are so demanding that most people would be unable to meet them and therefore can be considered abnormal
Jahoda's criteria can be criticised as an unrealistic measure of mental health