Handbook of the Sociology of Mental Health (Handbooks of Sociology and Social Research)

This handbook describes the ways in which society shapes the mental health of its members and further shapes the lives of those who have been identified as mentally ill. With regards to the social origins of mental health, this handbook covers both the social conditions that lead to the behavior defined as mental illness and the way in which the concept of mental illness is socially constructed around those behaviors. This handbook also covers a third body of work that examines socially conditioned responses to mental illness on the part of individuals and institutions along with the ways in which these responses affect the lives of persons with mental illness. Section topics include: Alternative Understandings of Mental Health, Observing Mental Health in the Community, the Social Distribution of Mental Illness, Social Antecedents of Mental Illness, Social Consequences of Mental Illness, Institutional Contexts of Mental Illness, and Social Continuities. Each of these viewpoints surveys the field in a critical manner, evaluating theoretical models in light of the best available empirical evidence. Distinctively sociological approaches are highlighted by means of explicit comparison to perspectives characterizing related disciplines such as psychology, psychiatry, and anthropology. This volume seeks to record where the field has been, to identify its current location and to plot its course for the future.

this Handbook Describes The Ways In Which Society Shapes The Mental Health Of Its Members And Further Shapes The Lives Of Those Who Have Been Identified As Mentally Ill.

with Regards To The Social Origins Of Mental Health, This Handbook Covers Both The Social Conditions That Lead To The Behavior Defined As Mental Illness And The Way In Which The Concept Of Mental Illness Is Socially Constructed Around Those Behaviors. This Handbook Also Covers A Third Body Of Work That Examines Socially Conditioned Responses To Mental Illness On The Part Of Individuals And Institutions Along With The Ways In Which These Responses Affect The Lives Of Persons With Mental Illness.

section Topics Include: Alternative Understandings Of Mental Health, Observing Mental Health In The Community, The Social Distribution Of Mental Illness, Social Antecedents Of Mental Illness, Social Consequences Of Mental Illness, Institutional Contexts Of Mental Illness, And Social Continuities.

each Of These Viewpoints Surveys The Field In A Critical Manner, Evaluating Theoretical Models In Light Of The Best Available Empirical Evidence. Distinctively Sociological Approaches Are Highlighted By Means Of Explicit Comparison To Perspectives Characterizing Related Disciplines Such As Psychology, Psychiatry, And Anthropology. This Volume Seeks To Record Where The Field Has Been, To Identify Its Current Location And To Plot Its Course For The Future.

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from The Preface: Most Of This Handbook Is Devoted To The Explanation Of One Elementary Observation: Disorder Is Not Uniformly Distributed Throughout Society, But Occurs More Densely Within Some Social Strata Than Others. Aneshensel (public Health, Ucla) And Phelam (public Health, Columbia) Lead The List Of The 40- Plus Scholars Who Contributed To This Volume. Twenty-eight Contributions Are Organized Into Sections On How We View Mental Illness; The Impact Of Social, Economic, Cultural, And Political Forces On The Science Of Mental Health; The Social Distribution Of Mental Illness; Social Antecedents And Consequences Of Mental Illness; And The Institutional Contexts Of The Field. Annotation C. Book News, Inc., Portland, Or (booknews.com)

This handbook describes the ways in which society shapes the mental health of its members and further shapes the lives of those who have been identified as mentally ill. With regards to the social origins of mental health, this handbook covers both the social conditions that lead to the behavior defined as mental illness and the way in which the concept of mental illness is socially constructed around those behaviors. This handbook also covers a third body of work that examines socially conditioned responses to mental illness on the part of individuals and institutions along with the ways in which these responses affect the lives of persons with mental illness. Sections include: I: Introduction: Alternative Understandings of Mental Health. II: Observing Mental Health in the Community. III: The Social Distribution of Mental Illness. IV: Social Antecedents of Mental Illness. V: Social Consequences of Mental Illness. V I: Institutional Contexts of Mental Illness. VII: Social Continuities. Each of these viewpoints survey the field in a critical manner, evaluating theoretical models in light of the best available empirical evidence. Distinctively sociological approaches are highlighted by means of explicit comparison to perspectives characterizing related disciplines such as psychology, psychiatry, and anthropology. This volume seeks to record where the field has been, to identify its current location and to plot its course for the future Within American society, mental disorder is commonly understood as an attribute of the individual. This intuitive understanding reflects the experiential reality that it is individuals who are beset by feelings of fear and despair, confused by intrusive or jumbled thoughts, addicted to drugs, and so forth. In this regard, everyday thinking is consistent with contem­ porary psychiatry, which also individualizes pathology, increasingly in biological terms. The contributors to this handbook collectively articulate an alternative vision, one in which the individual experience of psychopathology is inextricably embedded within its social context. This theme—the interface between society and the inward experience of its constituents—is developed here in a more encompassing manner than has been previously undertaken. Although this perspective may seem self-evident, especially in a handbook on the sociology of mental health, the widespread adoption of a medical model of aberrant states, especially by sociologists, has, we submit, obscured the relevance of social organi­ zation and processes. This handbook describes ways in which society shapes the mental health of its members, and shapes the lives of those who have been identified as mentally ill. The text explores the social conditions that lead to behaviors defined as mental illness, and the ways in which the concept of mental illness is socially constructed around those behaviors. The book also reviews research that examines socially conditioned responses to mental illness on the part of individuals and institutions, and ways in which these responses affect persons with mental illness. It evaluates where the field has been, identifies its current location and plots a course for the future. This wide-ranging handbook brings together experts in the sociology of mental health to present in-depth discussions on the interface between society and the inward experiences of its members. The chapters analyze social group differences in mental disorder and corresponding differences in exposure to the social conditions that cause these disorders. Differences along gender, racial and ethnic, social class, and cohort dimensions are also explored. This book describes ways in which society shapes the mental health of its members, and shapes the lives of those identified as mentally ill. Experts in the sociology of mental health discuss in depth the interface between society and the inward experiences of its members.