Sociology - Mental Illness

Question 1

Social causation/social determinants model

Answer 1

• Identified a range of social risk factors/determinants for mental illness
• The most effective way to LIMIT extent of mental ill health is through social, economic, and environmental POLICIES
• Emphasis on PREVENTATIVE, “joined up” strategies across all sectors of government rather than an over reliance on secondary care and pharmaceutical management

Question 2

Key assumptions of social determinants model

Answer 2

-Mental illness is an objective, measurable social FACT

• Aetiology of mental illness can be explained in SOCIAL EPIDEMIOLOGICAL terms
• Identifiable social factors CORRELATE with incidence of mental illness, particularly depression
• Social STRESSORS (social deprivation, isolation, and material deprivation) push already VULNERABLE individuals into mental illness
• INEQUALITIES –> sense of social UNFAIRNESS –> breakdown of social COHESION
• LACK of SOCIAL SUPPORT is related to VULNERABILITY to illness/high social support is protective
• Combination of circumstances and perceptions can lead to DEBT, OVERWORK, UNHEALTHY COPING behaviours