Deviation from Ideal Mental Health (AQA A Level Psychology): Revision Note

Deviation from ideal mental health

• Deviation from ideal mental health (DIMH) is based on the idea that there are distinct markers that signal 'wellness' or ideal mental health

• The DIMH measure assumes that if someone is mentally well, then they will possess all of the markers of ideal mental health

  • To diagnose a mental health disorder, it is only necessary to look for the lack of ideal mental health signals/behaviours in someone

• Marie Jahoda (1958) suggested a model of mental health in which there are six characteristics an individual should display if they have ideal mental health:

Evaluation of deviation from ideal mental health for A Level Psychology

Strengths 

• DIMH is a holistic measure of mental health as it takes into account all facets and behaviours of a person

  • The person is not viewed simply in terms of their innate, biological traits or their internal cognitions

  • The person's place in the world, their lifestyle and their individuality are all components of this measure

• DIMH is a positive measure of mental health and has useful real world application

  • This measure can be used as the basis for therapy and treatments with its emphasis on the whole person and on positive mental health and wellbeing

Limitations

• Jahoda's (1958) criteria of ideal mental health is almost impossible to live up to, as it requires each individual to reach the highest levels of positive mental wellbeing

  • Constantly self-actualising would be exhausting and may ultimately lead to self-doubt and disappointment

  • Being completely free of stress is not particularly desirable, as stress is a necessary motivator in daily life

  • Being successful in love, work and leisure time may actually lead people to feel demotivated and low in self-esteem if they do not live up to their own high standards

  • The definition's unrealistic characteristics would mean that many individuals would be classed as deviating from ideal mental health, and therefore could be diagnosed with a mental health disorder

• This measure is also prone to culture bias as it emphasises the importance of the individual, which is not aligned with the attitudes and beliefs of collectivist cultures

  • Collectivist cultures value 'we/us' rather than 'I/me,' which means that they emphasise what is best for the group rather than for the individual

  • Some collectivist cultures - particularly those in the Far East - operate according to a modesty bias

    • A modesty bias does not align with ideas of self-actualisation as it would regard the broadcasting of individual achievement as 'showy' or disrespectful