Deviation from ideal mental health

• The definition "deviation from ideal mental health" assesses mental health in the same way physical health is assessed
• Marie Jahoda suggested there are 6 characteristics an individual should display if they have an idea of mental health, these are: 

  • Positive attitudes towards one's self 
  • Self actualisation
  • Autonomy
  • Integration
  • Accurate perception of reality 
  • Environment mastery 
• Integration


  According to Jagoda, it is the ability to resist stress and being able to cope in stressful situations
• Autonomy


  According to Jagoda, it is the ability to act independently from others
• Environmental mastery 


  According to Jagoda, it means meeting the demands of the environment and situation you are in, and adapting 
• Strength of DFIMH

  • This definition takes holistic approach which means that it looks at the whole person and their behaviour
• Weaknesses of DFIMH

  • This definition is culturally relative, and specific for western cultures. In collectivist cultures, autonomy may seem as something undesired
  • The quarteria that Jagoda created is unrealistic because it is extremely unlikely to fall under all characteristics of the ideal mental health