Deviation From Ideal Mental Health

Question 1

AO1

Answer 1

Jahoda 1958 says there are six criteria that define mental healthiness

Failing to meet one or more of these criteria would suggest an abnormality the more criteria they fail to meet the more abnormal the person would be deemed.

For example
1: have negative self attitude
2: have problems with self actualisation
3: unable to resist stress
4: lack of autonomy
5: inaccurate perception of reality
6: poor environmental mastery

Question 2

AO3

Answer 2

One strength of ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality is that it covers a broad range of criteria for mental health. Some would argue that the definition covers most of the reasons someone would seek help from mental health services or be referred for help. This in contrast to other definitions such as deviation from social norms as that only focuses on one criterion for defining abnormality. Therefore the vast range of factors discussed in relation to ideal mental health make it an appropriate definition of abnormality