Sociological Insights on Mental Health and Distress

Introduces students to the study of the social forces that shape mental health and empowers the next generation to make an impact on mental health management As the prevalence of mental health issues worldwide continues to grow, an active area of sociology is investigating the social causes and consequences of mental health and illness. Young people are especially vulnerable to the current mental health crisis-they are more frequently experiencing social isolation, family stressors, difficulties establishing social relationships, and heightened levels of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and suicidal thoughts. Using a relatable and accessible narrative style, Sociological Insights on Mental Health and Distress helps students understand the connections between mental health issues and their social and structural determinants. Integrating classical and contemporary sociological theory, this concise textbook examines mental health from four key sociological perspectives: social context, social integration, stress, and stigma. Special emphasis is placed on the role of social media and cyberbullying in mental health concerns, global sources of anxiety such as COVID-19 and climate change, and emerging topics including neuro-divergencies in mental health problems and suicide in LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities. Supported by a wealth of pedagogical tools and an extensive companion website, Sociological Insights on Mental Health and Distress is the perfect textbook for undergraduate courses in the sociology of mental health, health and illness, psychological and sociological deviance, and social problems, as well as interdisciplinary courses in criminal justice, public health, social work, and psychology.

List of contents

Preface
Acknowledgements
List of Abbreviations
Introduction
Part I: Understanding Mental Health Problems
Chapter 1: What Does it Mean to Have a Mental Health Problem?

Defining Mental Health and Mental Health Problems

Mental Health Problems as Disability

Mental Health Problems as Violations of Social Norms

Medicalization

Concluding Thoughts

 
Chapter 2: What are the Sources of Mental Health Problems?

Individualistic Explanations for Mental Health Problems

Sociological Approaches

Cultural Variability

Concluding Thoughts

 
Chapter 3: Assessing Mental Health and Distress

Diagnostic Classification

Continuous Measures of Mental Health and Distress

The Crisis in Anxiety

Concluding Thoughts

 
Part II. Unpacking the Relationships between Stress, Social Supports, and Mental Health
Chapter 4: The Stress Universe

Sources and Types of Stress

Work Related Stress

The Stress Process Model and COVID-19

Concluding Thoughts

 
Figure 4.1. The Stress Process Model as Applied to COVID-19
Chapter 5: Social Relationships and Social Supports

The Critical Role of Social Support

Identity and Social Roles

The College Neighborhood

Cultural Variability in Supportive Environments

Concluding Thoughts

 
Chapter 6: Understanding Suicide and Prevention

Sociological Approaches to Suicide

Suicide Contagion

Social Conflict as a Source of Suicide

Social Conditions Associated with Suicide

Suicide Prevention

Concluding Thoughts

 
Part III. Structural Sources of Mental Distress
Chapter 7: Social Inequality

Socio-Economic Status (SES)

SES and Mental Health

Gender and Mental Health

Race, Ethnicity and Mental Health

COVID-19 and Mental Health

Concluding Thoughts

 
Chapter 8: Intersectionality and Mental Health

Intersecting Social Statuses

Young People and Intersecting Identities

LGBTQ+ and Gender Diversity

Concluding Thoughts

 
Chapter 9: Stigma as Fundamental Cause.

Sociological Theories about Stigma and Labelling

Homelessness

Stigma Resistance

Concluding Thoughts

 
Part IV: The Complexities of Care
Chapter 10: Mental Health Care and Treatment

Contrasting Views of Mental Health and Treatment

Seeking Help for Mental Health Problems

The Mental Health Workforce Crisis

Culturally Competent Mental Health Care

Concluding Thoughts

 
Chapter 11: Cycles of Mental Health Care

Evolving Systems of Care for Serious Mental Health Conditions

Institutionalization and Deinstitutionalization

Community Based Mental Health Care

The Dilemma of Recovery

Concluding Thoughts

 
Chapter 12: Dilemmas of Care

Medicalization

Involuntary Treatment and Civil Commitment

Criminalization

Concluding Thoughts

 
Conclusion: Vision for the Future: What would a Mentally Healthy Society Look Like?
Figure 2. Wholistic Framework for Mental Health
Appendix A: Summary of the PBS 2021 Documentary The Mysteries of Mental Illness: Explore the Evolution in Understanding Mental Illness
Appendix B: Summary of Robert Kolker's 2020 book, Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family.
Index
 

About the author

Teresa L. Scheid is a Professor of Sociology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, with joint appointments in Public Health, Public Policy, and Health Psychology. She has been teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses in mental health for over thirty years. She is co-editor of A Handbook for the Study of Mental Health: Social Contexts, Theories, and Systems and editor of the four-volume series Mental Health: Major Themes in Health and Social Welfare. S. Megan Smith is an Assistant Teaching Professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she primarily teaches mental health, health and illness, loneliness, and deviance. She was awarded the Andrew W. Mellon Teaching Fellowship, the J. Murrey Atkins Library Award for Faculty Engagement related to teaching instruction, and recently was awarded the inaugural Trailblazer Award through Charlotte's Center for Teaching and Learning, which recognizes innovation and technology implementation in the classroom.

Product details

• Authors: Teresa Scheid, Teresa L. (University of North Carolina At Scheid, Teresa Smith Scheid, Scheid Teresa L., Megan Smith, S. Megan Smith, Smith Megan
• Publisher: Wiley, John and Sons Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 03.04.2025
• EAN: 9781394200047
• ISBN: 978-1-394-20004-7
• No. of pages: 240
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Sociology > Sociological theories; Psychology, PSYCHOLOGY / Mental Health, TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING / Social Aspects, Sociology & anthropology, Impact of science and technology on society