Mental health and illness: Collective and situated meanings

DOI: 10.5176/2251-1865_CBP31

Authors: Shikha Dixit

Abstract: This paper attempts to integrate the results of two studies [1] and [2] conducted by the author in the area of social representations. These studies were conducted to explore the social representations of mental health and mental illness respectively. An integration of the findings of the two studies have been attempted to understand the core and peripheral structure of the representation of mental health and illness. The core social representation in the study group is structured as social meanings attached to mental health and illness. Considering the two studies together, it can be concluded that lay meanings of mental health and illness are different from scientific and medical versions. Also, these meanings are closely linked to the dominant values of the relevant social group and thus they are contextual in nature.