Handbook of the Sociology of Mental Health (Handbooks of Sociology and Social Research) [Hardcover]

Carol S. Aneshensel (Editor), Jo C. Phelan (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0306460696 | ISBN-13: 978-0306460692 | Publication Date: June 1, 1999 | Edition: 1

This handbook describes ways in which society shapes the mental health of its members, and shapes the lives of those who have been identified as mentally ill. The text explores the social conditions that lead to behaviors defined as mental illness, and the ways in which the concept of mental illness is socially constructed around those behaviors. The book also reviews research that examines socially conditioned responses to mental illness on the part of individuals and institutions, and ways in which these responses affect persons with mental illness. It evaluates where the field has been, identifies its current location and plots a course for the future.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

This handbook describes the ways in which society shapes the mental health of its members and further shapes the lives of those who have been identified as mentally ill. With regards to the social origins of mental health, this handbook covers both the social conditions that lead to the behavior defined as mental illness and the way in which the concept of mental illness is socially constructed around those behaviors. This handbook also covers a third body of work that examines socially conditioned responses to mental illness on the part of individuals and institutions along with the ways in which these responses affect the lives of persons with mental illness. Sections include: I: Introduction: Alternative Understandings of Mental Health. II: Observing Mental Health in the Community. III: The Social Distribution of Mental Illness. IV: Social Antecedents of Mental Illness. V: Social Consequences of Mental Illness. V I: Institutional Contexts of Mental Illness. VII: Social Continuities. Each of these viewpoints survey the field in a critical manner, evaluating theoretical models in light of the best available empirical evidence. Distinctively sociological approaches are highlighted by means of explicit comparison to perspectives characterizing related disciplines such as psychology, psychiatry, and anthropology. This volume seeks to record where the field has been, to identify its current location and to plot its course for the future.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 622 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (June 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306460696
• ISBN-13: 978-0306460692
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.1 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,462,704 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent handbook of an interesting field, February 11, 2010

By 

Koekkoek (The Netherlands) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Handbook of the Sociology of Mental Health (Handbooks of Sociology and Social Research) (Paperback)

This handbook offers a comprehensive, though North-American, overview of medical sociological thinking about mental health. Despite the not-so-great looks of the book, the content is very worthwile. Many well known sociologists have contributed chapters that succintly describe their particular field of study. Horwitz' attempt to offer a meta-view on sociological theories of mental illness is noteworthy.

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Torn used Library Book, February 15, 2010

By 

Joshua Nanopoulos "ectc" (North Carolina) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Handbook of the Sociology of Mental Health (Handbooks of Sociology and Social Research) (Hardcover)

Soc of Mental Health book was a library book with ripped binding inside the book and it was not in the condition as stated. I would not have purchased this book for $2.00 but I decided to take it anyway. Very disappointed since I have had good results from most of my Amazon purchases.