Deviation from Ideal Mental Health: Evaluation Points
Unrealistic
Culturally relative
A comprehensive definition
Deviation from Ideal Mental Health: Unrealistic
Jahoda's criteria proposes that the absence of the criteria indicates abnormality and potential mental disorder. However, according to this the majority of people are abnormal. It does not specify how many categories need to be absent for someone to be abnormal. This means that it cannot be used in everyday life and lacks real life application.
Deviation from Ideal Mental Health: Culturally Relative
Jahoda's criteria was constructed based on individualist cultures.Personal growth, autonomy and self attitude is cultural specific. This limits the generalisability and population validity of deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality.
Deviation from Ideal Mental Health: Comprehensive Definition
The concept of ideal mental health distinguishes between mental health and mental illness. It covers most of the reasons why someone would seek help for their mental health. There is a large range of factors which help diagnose mental health problems and therefore it has good real life application.
