Deviation from Ideal Mental Health (AQA A Level Psychology)

Revision Note

Reviewed by: Lucy Vinson

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 abnormality/mental illness 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:

Positive attitudes towards the self	High levels of self-esteem and a strong sense of identity Knowing where you fit in the world
Self actualisation	Personal growth and development Developing yourself and achieving the goals you set yourself in life E.g. Completing your exams to the best of your ability, buying a house, getting a job
Autonomy	Autonomy and the ability to act independently from others Self-regulation Being able to work on your own and solve problems that may arise
Resistance to stress	Resisting stress and being able to cope in stressful situations E.g. coping with tight deadlines, celebrations, and moving house
Accurate perception of reality	Having a realistic view of the world and your place in it Understanding how the world works E.g. if you were to be unsuccessful at a job interview, you could see that it may be that the other candidate was a better fit for the job and it is not about you as a person
Environmental mastery	Adapting and meeting the demands of the environment and situation you are in The ability to adapt to your different environments and feel at ease in them E.g. being affectionate towards your partner at home and being professional in your relationship with your boss

DIMH is a holistic measure of abnormality 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 abnormality 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

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 abnormal
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 emphasis 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

Last updated: 26 June 2024

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