Definition in the field of mental health

Deviation from ideal mental health

When someone does not meet a set criteria for good menta health (Jahoda’s Criteria)

What are examples included in Jahoda’s criteria?

-We have no symptoms or distress

-We are rational and can perceive ourselves accurately

-We self-actualise

-We can cope with stress

-We have a realistic view of the world

-We have good self-esteem

-We are independent of other people

-We can successfully work, love and enjoy our leisure

What is a strength of the criteria of deviation from ideal mental health (Comprehensive)

It is highly comprehensive - Jahoda’s criteria covers most of the reasons why people seek help with mental health which can then be discussed meaningfully with professionals.

-this means we can assess by ourselves, others and professionals through this checklist

What is a limitations of the criteria of deviation from ideal mental health? (Cultural-Bound)

1. May be culture-bound (not applicable to all cultures)

• Jahoda’s criteria is mainly applicable in US + parts of Europe

• Self-actualisation would be dismissed as self-indulgent in most of the world

• Europe varies values on personal independence e.g high in Germany, low in Italy

-means it’s hard to apply ideal mental health to all cultures

What is a limitations of the criteria of deviation from ideal mental health? (High standards)

Has very high standards - very few can achieve whole criteria at the same time and keep for a long time

-unmotivating to see unrealistic standards

Deviation from social/cultural norms

Behaving differently from accepted standards of behaviour in society

Variations in social/cultural norms

Norms differ for each generation and culture

E.g. Homosexuality was once classified as a mental health condition until discredited. It remains illegal in certain cultures

Example: Antisocial personality disorder

According to DSM-5-TR (manual used to diagnose mental health conditions) an important symptom of antisocial personality disorder is failure to conform to lawful and ethical behaviour. They are impulsive, aggressive and irresponsible.

-we are making the social judgement people who don’t conform to moral standards have mental health conditions (which is undesirable in some cultures)

What is a strength of social/cultural norms? (Real-world)

Real-world application - usefulness in clinical practice

E.g. antisocial personality disorder is characterised by a failure to conform to culturally acceptable behaviour -shows deviations from social/cultural norms

These norms also play a part in diagnosis of schizotypal personality disorder.

Individuals have trouble in relationships as they assume the other person is having negative thoughts about them - this is seen as “odd“ or “eccentric“

-shows value in psychiatry

What is a limitation of deviation from social/cultural norms? (Love of familiar)

Love of the familiar - it allows people to impose a narrow range of acceptable behaviours on others

-Chappell and Jeppsson (2023) suggested people are reassured by “typical behaviour“ and disturbed by deviances

It is problematic if clinicians impose their own social/cultural norms on clients because of their own love of the familiar and fear of weirdness.

The clinician is then disregarding that person’s own judgement of their wellbeing and imposing other people’s standards on their client

-means norms may limit personal freedom

Failure to function adequately

Unable to cope with demands of everyday life

When is someone failing to function adequately? + according to who?

According to Rosenhan and Seligman suggested:

• Unable to maintain basic hygiene and standard nutrition

• When a person no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules e.g maintaining eye contact when someone is talking

• When a person experiences severe personal distress

• When a person’s behaviour becomes irrational or dangerous to themselves or others

What is a strength of the criteria for failing to function adequately?

Represents a sensible threshold for professional help

-According to Mind (mental health charity), around 25% of England experience a mental health problem in a year. It tends to be when people experience severe symptoms to when they seek professional health

-means treatment and service can be targeted to those who need them most

What is a limitation of the criteria of failing to function adequately?

Unconventional lifestyles - discriminates on when people choose to deviate norms

E.g. those who favour high-risk leisure activities or travellers without permanent accommodation or a job may be labelled with poor mental health

-means people with unusual life choices are at risk of diagnosis and their freedom may be restricted

Statistical infrequency

Behaviours that are less common than most of the population

What is example is measured statistically and compared socially?

IQ - average is 100 and being lower than 70% is very unusual (only 2% are and labelled as having intellectual disabiIity disorder (IDD))

What are 2 strengths of statistical infrequency? (Real-world + Support)

1. Real-world application - usefulness in clinical practice for diagnosis and to access severity of individual’s symptoms

E.g. Beck depression inventory - scoring 30+ indicates severe depression

-shows value of the criteria to help diagnostic and assessment processes

2. Allows people struggling to seek help from support services

What is a limitation of statistical infrequency (Positive)

Unusual characteristics can be positive

E.g. One with an IQ above average (which is uncommon) would be seen as a good thing

-means that something not equating the psychological spectrum is not necessarily always lacking good mental health

What is a limitation of statistical infrequency (Labelling)

Not all benefit from labels

E.g. someone with a low IQ but coping with chose lifestyle can negatively follow label

-social stigma attached to labels creating a self-fulfilling prophecy