Abstract This paper analyzes mentalillness as a social problem. The paper studies this issue from the interactionist, conflict and functionalist perspectives. The paper asks how mentalillness impacts the individual sufferer and society. The paper also looks at the concept and impact of de-institutionalization.
From the Paper "The challenge of mental illness in society may be viewed as a social problem. Mental illness is a source of serious social problems, not just because of the number of people affected by it but also due to the extent to which social ..."
Tags:mentalillness, functionalist, conflict theory, interactionist, health care, psychology, social problems
This paper presents an in-depth look at mentalillness using two stories - "Sybil" and "I Never Promised You A Rose Garden", each details a different type of mentalillness.
1,850 words (approx. 7.4 pages), 2 sources, 2001, $ 59.95
Abstract This paper presents an in-depth look at mentalillness using two stories - "Sybil" and "I Never Promised You A Rose Garden", each detail a different type of mentalillness. The two types, MPD and schizophrenia are often confused with each other.
From the paper:
"Mentalillness has been with us since the beginning of time. There are many types of mentalillness and they vary in severity and duration. Two of the most misunderstood and often misdiagnosed mentalillnesses are Multiple Personality Disorder and Schizophrenia. These disorders are often confused with one another. If we examine the characteristics of each one we will see where their differences are and how they are treated. There are two movies that underscore the ramifications of the disorders and the treatment options of them both. Sybil and I Never Promised You a Rose Garden are both portrayals of mentalillness in women and how that illness affected their lives and families. "
Abstract This paper discusses the high incidence of mentalillness among the homeless and takes a look at the possible connection between homelessness and mentalillness. The paper discusses the adverse impact of homelessness on the treatment of mentalillness and looks at whether homelessness causes psychiatric distress, or whether mentallyill people are homeless because of their psychiatric disorder.
From the Paper "For more than three decades researchers have sought to determine the nature of the relationship between mental illness and homelessness due to the pervasiveness of mental illness in this population. Most recent studies indicated that approximately one-quarter to one-third of the homeless population suffered from a serious mental illness."
Abstract This article consists of two parts. The first part discusses the stakeholders of the MentallyIll Offenders Treatment and Crime Reduction Act of 2004. The advocacy and policy of these stakeholders are discussed, as well as what could have been done differently. The second paper develops a position that agrees with this policy. It addresses the policy's strengths and weaknesses and looks at what should be provided. The writer further discusses how it should be funded, who should administer the program and provides a recommended course of action. "
From the Paper "The stakeholders in the Mentally Ill Offenders Treatment and Crime Reduction Act were many. There were originally five senators who backed the bill as it was initially proposed, including Sen. Mike DeWine of Ohio, who introduced the legislation in order "to foster local collaborations which will ensure that resources are effectively and efficiently used within the criminal and juvenile justice systems". These initial stakeholders might have proposed a different and higher amount of funding for grants, etc. in the legislation, as those who sponsored it in the House of Representatives cut funding in half, writing that "the bill authorizes $50 million for the current fiscal year 2005, and such sums as shall be necessary for fiscal years 2006 through 2009" as opposed to the $100 million that the original asked for."
Abstract The paper discusses how Karl Marx believed that there were two classes of people; the working class and the wealthy. His social philosophy suggested that the wealthy class was consistently attempting to ensure that the working class could never alter their social position. Furthermore, Marx contended that the wealthy controlled the working class because of the working class dependence on the wealthy for their livelihood. In modern society, however, the growing opinion is that there are three socialclasses; the poor, the middle class and the wealthy.
Abstract This paper examines several theories and definitions of socialclass and looks at the significance of socialclass in society. The paper discusses the implications of socialclass, in terms of disadvantage or privilege and looks at the impact on the individual of family, socialclass, schools and socialization.
From the Paper "Social class is understood by Ostrove and Cole as a construct in encompassing notions of privilege, status, power and position within a society. Social class constructs identity, establishes differences between groups within society and confers distinct privileges. Simultaneously, along with race and gender, class has implications in terms of both privilege and disadvantage. Individuals may experience discrimination on the basis of class, which is a powerful social category that shapes individuals' experience of themselves in the world. Though class is generally considered to be..."
Abstract This six page undergraduate paper examines representations of socialclass, gender, ethnicity, race, and/or age in the media. It seems evident that the best way to accomplish this is to examine television ads, radio ads, billboard ads, newspaper ads, magazine ads, and Internet ads. The writer points out that since ads are trying to sell a certain product or service, their content represents people who buy their product as extremely attractive, friendly, popular and happy people.
From the Paper "In conducting a content analysis of representations of social class, gender, ethnicity, race, and/or age in the media, it seemed evident that the best way to accomplish this would be to examine television ads, radio ads, billboard ads, newspaper ads, magazine ads, and Internet ads. Since ads are trying to sell a certain product or service, their content represents people who buy their product as extremely attractive, friendly, popular, and happy people. These representations in media ads may differ in specific content, but they all reach out to their target audience in the same way by appealing to the social instincts and values of people."
Abstract This paper discusses the two opposite viewpoints with regard to the existence of mentalillness and whether there is a unique model that can actually fully cover mentalillness. The paper also talks about the concept of deviance, what the accepted norms are from which the deviation can be observed in the so-called mentally affected individuals, and who decides the norms of mental health and, hence, the deviation. The paper also argues that socio-psychological issues are involved in mental health practice, and a strictly medical approach cannot provide all the answers. Finally, the conclusion argues that it is vital to recognize the social, sociological, and psychological elements involved in mentalillness.
From the Paper "However, the medical profession holds the opposite view and is satisfied that mental illness does exist and is usually divided into two major groups ? the psychoses and the neuroses. (Roth and Kroll, 1986, p.27) Psychotic disorders, also knows as personality disorders include schizophrenia, manic-depressive disorder, psychotic (severe) depression, while neuroses comprise of anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, dissociative (hysterical) and somatoform disorders and neurotic (mild) depression. The rapid advances in clinical treatment of many of these disorders have strengthened the case of the medical view of mental illness."
Abstract This study examines the impact of inadequate mental health resources and the subsequent mental health crises that have been created. The study evaluates the financial support, funding and services for the mentallyill juvenile offender and identifies issues related to inadequate mental health resources in the literature review. The study also evaluates level resources and service delivery at two different mental health centers and a juvenile facility and examines data obtained from other sources. The results of the study are intended to help institutions develop future action plans to address the issues of inadequate resources and levels of service needs.
Introduction /Importance of the Study
National Research Agenda
Rationale for the Study
Purpose of the Study
Overview of the Study
Hypothesis
Problem Statement
Scope of the Study
Definition of Terms
Review of Literature
Context
Introduction to MentalIllness The Culture and Climate of MentalIllness The Economics Associated with Costs/Resources
The Role of the Mental Health System
The Role of the Criminal Justice System
Method
Data Analysis
Summary Discussion and Recommendations
From the Paper "Inadequate mental health resources are an often-cited factor for the mental health crisis, especially the incarceration of juveniles with mental illness. There have been a number of these approaches offered over the years to help youthful offenders overcome the challenges and obstacles they face as part of becoming involved in the criminal justice system, with varying degrees of success. This study examines the impact of inadequate mental health resources and the subsequent mental health crises that have been created. Costs are rising at an alarming rate and there are more illnesses than resources available to meet the needs of the mentally ill juvenile in the criminal justice system. Lacking in resources, the mental health system has not kept pace with the diverse needs of the community or the prison system. Consequently, the justice system inappropriately places juveniles in the criminal justice system, instead of the mental health system."
Abstract This paper examines how from a sociological perspective, the most realistic method of understanding the effects of mentalillness is to explain it as a form of deviance, which from the standpoint of how it is created and perpetuated is more relevant than the medical reasons behind the causes. It relates that mentalillness is a unique form of deviance in that it is a justification for other forms of deviant acts, such as crime, violence and even homosexuality, which are then justified as some form of mentalillness as substantiated by the increased pleas of insanity in the courtrooms.
From the Paper "The behavior found in the mentally ill puts a strain on social relationships, which, in turn, leads to status changes. Overall, mental illness disrupts communication and this disruption can lead to mental illness. As we saw described by Lemert, paranoia is a result of stress in social reactions. Stress can cause a breakdown in normal communication, which will hurt social bonds. Many believe that stress may be a main cause of mental illness, among other diseases. One observation is that social roles in society have differing exposure to stress and thus have a different opportunity to be mentally ill."
Abstract This paper examines how the aetiology of mentalillness has rested mainly on the notion that the main contributing factors rest in the biological school of thought and how it was not until the 19th century that psychological explanations began to emerge. This paper seeks to explore the differing factors of the aetiology of mentalillness from the differing schools of thought in the psychological, biological and sociological perspectives.
From the Paper "Concepts of mental health include subjective well-being, perceived self-efficacy, autonomy, competence, intergenerational dependence, and self-actualization of one's intellectual and emotional potential, among others. From a cross-cultural perspective, it is nearly impossible to define mental health comprehensively." The World Health Report (2001) Spanning almost 2,500 years explanations as to the aetiology of mental illness has rested mainly on the notion that the main contributing factors rest in the biological school of thought and it was not until the 19th century that psychological explanations began to emerge. Furthermore, the 20th century brought new and different ways of thinking and social issues became more prominent. This essay will seek to explore the differing factors of the aetiology of mental illness from the differing schools of thought in the psychological, biological and sociological perspectives."
Abstract This report investigates violence among the mentallyill and the general population under the assumption that the data revealed will show that there are equal levels of and propensities for violence in these populations, despite media and other sources, which suggest to society that the mentallyill are somehow naturally more prone to violence and drug use than the general population.
Outline
Formulation of Hypothesis
Consideration of Needs, Interests, and Resources
Selection of Hypothesis
Testing of Hypothesis
Samples and Sampling
Controls
Ethical Problems
Plans for Analysis of Results
Collection of Data
Classification, Organization, and Tabulation of Data
Analysis of Data
Conclusions and Practical Applications
From the Paper "The data shows similar rates of violence between the general population and the mentally ill population, and what appears to be statistically significant increases in drug and alcohol abuse in the general population compared to the mentally ill population. This follows, in part, the hypothesis that suggested equality, but also breaks from this hypothesis in that there is an imbalance in the substance abuse reportage between groups. "Some earlier studies, based solely on arrest records, found that increased rates of violence among the mentally ill.
However, researchers have noted that substance abuse often
accompanies violent acts by individuals with or without psychiatric disorders" (Bower, 1998). Also interestingly, in the above results there were no visible connections between violence and drug use in individuals: those who showed signs of violence did not show signs of drug use, and vice versa."
Abstract The following paper examines how mentalillness in women has historically been attributed to biological and genetic factors. This paper also examines the last century's research that has given credence to psychosocial factors having an impact on a person's mental state. The lives of Charlotte Perkins Gilman and Sylvia Plath will illustrate how oppression by patriarchal society can contribute to the disturbance of a brilliant mind.
From the Paper ?Mental illness is defined as a cluster of disorders initiating harsh disturbances in thought, emotion and interaction. This garners significantly weaker capacity for handling with the usual demands of life. (http://www.namimass.org/whatis/illness.htm, 1) There are many causes of mental illness. The biological factors comprise mood swings, reproductive health situations, thyroid activity and how our sleep and activity is controlled. In some cases depression can be hereditary. ?There is a 25% rate of depression in the first-degree relatives (mother, father, siblings) of people with depression and greater prevalence of the illness in first-degree and second-degree female relatives.? (Blumenthal, 1996, 2). However, causes of mental illness do not manifest as biological or genetic explanations alone.?
This paper examines the controversial and much debated issue of executing mentallyill individuals who were sentenced to death in capital punishment trials.
Abstract The writer of this paper presents a detailed examination regarding the execution of mentallyill criminals. The writer explores case law, as well as moral issues when it comes to medicating the mentallyill with anti-psychotics so they are well enough to be executed. This paper analyzes the verdicts in several death sentence trials, including the cases of Ford vs. Wainwright and Singleton vs. Norris. In 1986, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that the execution of the mentally incompetent violates the 8th Amendment prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. A prisoner cannot be executed unless sufficiently competent to understand the nature and reasons for his punishment. This paper also details the recent 6-to-5 decision and the first ruling of its kind, in Singleton vs. Norris, that a mentallyill prisoner may be involuntarily medicated with anti-psychotic drugs to restore his competency for execution. The author examines the issue of executing the mentallyill after forcing them to take medication which has been upheld in several U.S. courts . The logic behind such decisions is flawed for several reasons, which are detailed in this paper.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Getting Worse Before it Gets Better
Works Cited
From the Paper "The execution of the mentally ill after forcing them to take medication has been upheld in several US courts. The logic behind such decisions is flawed for several reasons. The mentally ill who are so disordered that they cannot function are not forced to stand trial, nor are they required to answer for their crimes. They are allowed an insanity defense that allows them to seek treatment and eventually apply to be released back to society. It does not make sense, that a mentally ill person can be force fed medications so that they become sane enough to be executed, if defendants cannot be force fed medications for the purpose of understanding their crime and standing trial. The health care industry is built on not harming others."
