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16
Mar 24

Social Change: Increases in Mental Health Needs Among College Students

Beginning well before the pandemic, college students have been facing increased mental health issues. This has resulted in significant change in the needs of college students and a restructuring of priorities and resources necessary to help students thrive.

Students struggle with a variety of mental health issues like depression, anxiety, addiction, eating disorders, and PTSD. In addition to pre-existing mental health struggles that can worsen, students are often commonly affected by social issues such as: academic pressure, discrimination, loneliness, financial issues, insomnia, food insecurity, and social pressures. According to the Cambridge Handbook of Social Problems, “Mental illness is not only in itself considered a major social problem, it also often results from the diverse social problems individuals have to face” (Busfield, 2018).

One of the growing needs on campuses is for both mental health awareness and resources. The effect on students and their performance is significant. “Mental health problems can affect a student’s energy level, concentration, dependability, mental ability, and optimism, hindering performance. Research suggests that depression is associated with lower grade point averages, and that co-occurring depression and anxiety can increase this association” (Suicide Prevention Resource Center). Stigma needs to change in terms of how students are perceived and treated. For this to happen, students, faculty, and administration need the resources to build awareness and affect change.

One of the growing resources for college students is the area of on-campus mental health and disability services. Unfortunately, the need often far outweighs the speed at which resources can be developed and offered. One of the resources students can use is disability accommodations, which take into account the impact of mental health on academic performance. Students are then able to counteract some of the negative outcomes usually resulting from mental health struggles such as inability to concentrate and fluctuating dependability. The downfall of this resource is that it requires a medical professional’s diagnosis and significant written, supporting documentation. Therefore, for any student who doesn’t see a professional due to stigma, confusion about how or where to get help, inability to pay for professional help, etc. won’t be able to use this resource as students who don’t face these additional barriers can. This points to a clear problem that needs to be addressed.

Another change that is slowly taking place that is more inclusive than providing academic accommodations is in the area of course structure and assessment strategies. There is a growing trend toward more equitable grading practices in education. This type of grading allows for differences in student performance that aren’t associated with mastery. According to an article in Ed. Magazine by the Harvard Graduate School of Education,“in traditional grading, many commonly used grading categories invite biases. For example, when we include a student’s behavior in a grade, we’re imposing on all of our students a narrow idea of what a “successful” student is”

“In more equitable grading, grades must accurately reflect only a student’s academic level of performance, exclude nonacademic criteria (such as behavior), and use mathematically sound calculations and scales…Grading practices must counteract institutional biases that have historically rewarded students with privilege and punished those without, and also must protect student grades from our own implicit biases.” (Hough, 2019).

 

Resources:

Busfield, J. (2018). Mental Illness and Social Problems. In A. J. Treviño (Ed.), The Cambridge Handbook of Social Problems (pp.23-42). Cambridge University Press.

“Consequenses of Student Mental Health Issues”. Suicide Prevention Resource Center. https://sprc.org/settings/colleges-and-universities/consequences-of-student-mental-health-issues

Hough, Lory. May 18, 2019. Grade Expectations: “Why we need to rethink grading in our schools”. Ed. Magazine. Harvard Graduate School of Education.

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12
Feb 24

I thought I was a hermit, and other great realizations…

Charismatic is the word my mother uses to describe me, others have said social butterfly and I find this very peculiar considering my adoration for solitude.  When the world shut down during the COVID pandemic it seemed like a gift, here was a reason to stay home and do whatever I wanted and never have to see anyone ever again, I could stay inside without guilt.  Living in San Diego people often suggest getting outside, it’s a nice day they say, well I say every day is a nice day, it’s Southern California, leave me alone.

That’s not to say that I don’t love to be around people, and admittedly so, to be the center of attention, but I really like my alone time.  So, looking back I found it odd that the time in lockdown had the opposite effect I had originally imagined.  In the wake of the pandemic I had put on more pounds than I care to admit, lost my motivation for going anywhere, and therefore any interaction with people outside of a gas station attendant or my kids. Now possibly it was not getting any exercise, or because I had two small boys in school online while I was in nursing school prep courses, but I was not myself to say the least. I had lost my mojo, and I felt angry, and very much inside my head, it was indescribably difficult and I felt alone.

It has been a few years now, my boys survived and so did I, life has begun to seem normal again, but only recently.  As this awareness of normalcy came to fruition, so did the realization that something had gone wrong during that time of isolation, and it wasn’t just a lack of exercise, there was more to it, there was a host of emotional turmoil to sift through, but what struck me most, why had that been the outcome and not a shining butterfly of self-care and peace of mind emerging from that time away from everything?  I loved being alone, I enjoyed binging shows, and puttering around my house without any social contact, so why was I a mess?

It was Aristotle who first proposed that we are social creatures and seek the companionship of others as a component of our well-being.  Well-being, however, has become somewhat of a buzzword and feels rather elusive to attain, like Peter Pan’s shadow, just slipping one’s grasp.  That is, until I started piecing the puzzle together, the whys and whats so to speak of what happened to me, and so many others during this time that could have, and maybe for some, was used to better oneself, in my case, felt more like crawling out of a cave.

Studies have shown that those who regularly attend church or social events tend to live longer and healthier lives (Pew Research Center, 2019), (Godman, 2023).  Many of us have heard that religion leads to happier, and thus healthier lives, but what is it that offers this life extension?  According to (Umberson & Karas Montez, 2011) when adults are more socially connected, they too live longer and healthier lives than their counterparts (isolated adults).  And, in one news brief (Godman, 2023), researchers conducted a study examining the lifestyle and social environments of 28,000 individuals for a term of five years.  Findings show that the more that people were socializing the longer they were living, if they did not socialize every day, they still lived longer than those who did not socialize at all (Godman, 2023).

There was credible information showing we are indeed social animals, and this solitude many of us lived through had a serious impact on our overall health and well-being.  As the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023) state, people who are socially connected are more likely to have stability, healthy relationships, and improved decision-making ability.  They go on to mention that the very choices we make are better for our health when we are among others and that we manage stress better, and depression (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023).

So here it was, findings that show just how important social interaction is for our overall well-being, the elusive shadow, completely within my reach.  It took baby steps, I started delivering food, and would occasionally interact with a customer, and then I started easing into grocery stores, and more.  Now about 4 years later, I have begun to lose weight, I have people over to my house again, and I go out and socialize.  I realized that I am seen as charismatic and social because although I am a social butterfly, my “me time” is imperative for recharging my energy.  However, with that being said I can see clearly now that the support of others, and those daily interactions, no matter how brief, are all part of our nature, and something I was desperately lacking.  As Thomas Kottke once said “Medicine is a social science in its very bone and marrow” (Kottke, 2011).

 

 

 

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, May 8). How Does Social Connectedness Affect Health? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/emotional-wellbeing/social-connectedness/affect-health.htm#:~:text=When%20people%20are%20socially%20connected

Godman, H. (2023, July 1). Even a little socializing is linked to longevity. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/even-a-little-socializing-is-linked-to-longevity#:~:text=Within%20the%20first%20five%20years

Kottke, T. E. (2011). Medicine Is a Social Science in Its Very Bone and Marrow. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 86(10), 930–932. https://doi.org/10.4065/mcp.2011.0444

Pew Research Center. (2019, January 31). Religion’s Relationship to Happiness, Civic Engagement and Health Around the World. Pew Research Center’s Religion & Public Life Project. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2019/01/31/religions-relationship-to-happiness-civic-engagement-and-health-around-the-world/

Umberson, D., & Karas Montez, J. (2011). Social Relationships and Health: a Flashpoint for Health Policy. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 51(1), 54–66. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022146510383501

 

 

 

 

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09
Feb 23

Stress in Collegiate Sports

Almost all, if not all, collegiate athletes will undergo some type of stress related to academic and athletic performance throughout their college career. In an article from Frontiers called Stress in Academic and Athletic Performance in Collegiate Athletes: A Narrative Review of Sources and Monitoring Strategies, they did a study that found that “Approximately 65.7% (50.7% males and 71.8% females) reported feeling overwhelming anxiety in the past 12 months, and 45.1% (37.1% males and 47.6% females) reported feeling so depressed that it was difficult for them to function” ((Lopes Dos Santos et al., 2020). This is an extremely high number for a problem that can be prevented and dealt with. Applied social psychology can be used to help athletes and the professionals that they work with to help with mental health.

Applied social psychology can be used be using the scientific process to see how to eliminate this problem. The first step is observation of phenomena, which involves recording and researching everyday events, research results, and intervention outcomes (Gruman, 2016). For the problem of stress in college athletes, we would complete this first step by watching the athletes to determine the problem. Since we already know that this is an issue, this step is already complete. However, we could gather more data to support the idea and add to why the problem is important to fix.

The second step of the scientific process is to develop a theory and the third step is the deduction of specific hypothesis derived by theory (Gruman, 2016). Through this we would see what needs to be changed and the develop a hypothesis. While there are many hypothesis that could be developed, one important one could be that more time spent completing athletic activities, the more stress a college athlete will endure. However, there are many hyptohesis that could be created relating to the issue. Some hypothesis could include how mental health, stress, eating disorders, athletic performance, academic performance, and more are affected by collegiate sports.

The final step is testing the hypothesis through research and interventions (Gruman, 2016). In this step, the applied psychologists would develop studies to help prove or disprove their hypothesis. This can be done by observational or experimental studies which will test how athletes are effected by stress. Collegiate athletes are one population that has been most affected by mental health lately, however, very little prevention has been implemented. Through applied psychology, psychologists can implement ways to prevent and treat athletes undergoing stress and mental health problems.

References:

Gruman, J. A., Schneider, F. W., & Coutts, L. M. (Eds.). (2016). Applied social psychology : Understanding and addressing social and practical problems. SAGE Publications, Incorporated.

Lopes Dos Santos, M., Uftring, M., Stahl, C. A., Lockie, R. G., Alvar, B., Mann, J. B., & Dawes, J. J. (2020, March 30). Stress in academic and athletic performance in collegiate athletes: A narrative review of sources and Monitoring Strategies. Frontiers. Retrieved February 9, 2023, from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2020.00042/full

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13
Oct 21

Opioid Crisis & Crime

Every day, 128 people in the United States overdose and die from taking opioids. For over a decade, prescription opioids have been the primary treatment for chronic pain. Opioids are found in the opium poppy plant, which then are implemented in common drugs such as hydrocodone, oxymorphone, morphine, codeine, and fentanyl. Opioids relax the body and relieve pain quickly, which is what sparked the Opioid Crisis. In the late 1990s, pharmaceutical companies and medical professionals were sure that patients would not become addicted to opioids, so they prescribed more and more opioids to satisfy patients who were in extreme pain. After many opioid medications were prescribed, doctors came to the realization that opioids are highly addictive because accidental overdose rates were dramatically increasing. Ever since the decision was made to prescribe more opioids, overdose rates and criminal rates have been on a steady incline. Without stricter regulations and resources put into place, the next victim within the Opioid Crisis can be your parent, sibling, child, or even yourself. It takes one intake of an opioid to be on the verge of an addition, a potential overdose, or illegal action. It is difficult to remove opioids completely, so more resources and organizations need to be available to guide people onto the right path.

The use of opioids is not coming to an end, in fact more and more people are becoming addicted. Addiction is something that is very difficult to escape, and most people don’t know how to get help. A 2019 study conducted by BMC Health Services Research showed that adopting preventative strategies, such as prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs), is highly effective and showed a reduction in opioid-related consequences. The study was broken into categories- opioid dependence, opioid-related care outcomes, opioid-related adverse events, and opioid-related legal and crime outcomes. As a result, applying PDMP programs limited the number of overdose deaths because help that was not available was now easily accessible (Rhodes par 1). By taking a closer look at what is being prescribed and giving other alternatives is what made this study successful. By implementing these programs, insightful information was shared, and it saved lives in the end.

Mental health and opioid dependence can become connected and can jeopardize someone’s health. Someone who is mentally unstable is at a higher risk of failing to meet the demands of opioids, therefore putting them at a higher risk of overdosing. An article written by Stephanie Watson, and medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD, CRNP, ACRN, CPH said, “A 2016 study in the Annals of Family Medicine found that about 10 percent of people prescribed opioids developed depression after a month of taking the drugs. The longer they used opioids, the greater their risk of developing depression” (Watson par 8). There is a clear link between mental health and opioid dependence, so it is important to address it now before more people are negatively affected. It is important that opioids are not prescribed unless they are needed. People with mental health disorders will struggle recognizing the negative effects of opioids and ignore them. People with depression and other similar mental health issues may use opioids more often than prescribed to escape from reality which could lead to addiction, an overdose, or death.

The use of opioids has been a problem for quite some time now and death rates have not decreased, so more changes need to be composed. Better regulations and strategies have been implemented in the medical world regarding opioids, but it just is not enough. More regulations within the legal system need to put into place to eliminate the selling and unnecessary usage of opioids. Anyone can be affected by opioids, rather they do it willingly or they are prescribed it. The expansion of opioid availability has made it an activity for people which is incredibly life threatening. One can observe these behaviors and replicate it, which relates to Bandura’s (1977) social learning theory, and increase opioid related deaths. As more people take advantage of opioids, it will increase the amount of criminal behavior due to creating/using illegal drugs, selling illegal drugs, etc. Opioid usage can have biological influences, which can also lead to higher levels of crime and risks of aggression. As someone who has lost a loved one due to the overuse of an opioid, making small changes can make a huge impact, can change society’s perspective on opioids, and will save a life.

References:

Rhodes, Emily, et al. “The Effectiveness of Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs at

Reducing Opioid-Related Harms and Consequences: A Systematic Review.” BMC

Health Services Research, vol. 19, no. 1, 2019. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1186/s12913-019-

4642-8.

Watson, Stephanie. “Mental Health and Opioid Dependence: How Are They Connected?”

Healthline. March 29, 2019. https://www.healthline.com/health/opioid-

withdrawal/mental-health-connection#1

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23
Sep 21

COVID-19 & Hoplessness

The COVID-19 pandemic led to over 600,000 deaths in the US alone but those will not be the only ones to suffer from COVID (Covid Data Tracker Weekly Review). In the midst of the pandemic, individuals found themselves in isolation and weeks turned into months of social distancing. Suggestions and data from the government seemed to change every week. Many lost their jobs. Financial insecurity, health issues and an uncertain future make a perfect recipe for hopelessness that leads to depression.

According to the Hopelessness Theory (HDT), “positive life events and self-enhancing attributions are believed to combine to promote the growth of hopefullness (Gruman, Jamie., et all., 2017). Since no one knows what to expect in this new world, it’s easy to see why so many people may find themselves hopeless. The HDT suggests that focusing on hope and envisioning a bright future is the best way to prevent depression (Gruman, Jamie., et all., 2017). How can we be more hopeful when the future seems so bleak?

We see the example of combined skill acquisition and cognitive restructuring in the Penn Resiliency model in which at risk middle schoolers were not only taught how to focus on the positive, but also learned skills such as emotional control, relaxation, assertiveness, negotiation, and avoiding procrastination (Gruman, Jamie., et all., 2017). The children who went through this program were not as likely to have depressive symptoms.

In the midst of uncertainty, it’s important to focus on the self-enhancing attributions and to try and focus on the positive effects of social distancing efforts. When the pandemic started, social media seemed to blow up with people taking on special projects or learning something new – such as the sourdough bread phenomenon which ultimately caused a flour shortage. To stay mentally healthy, most of the people I know took up a project or a new hobby. However, I also saw many spend too much time on social media and grow irrationally upset and angry at almost everyone they knew. Those who were on social media saw endless negative news headlines as well as arguments about divisive issues, making it hard to focus on a positive framework.

After experiencing COVID, we see how focusing on the positive can get us through almost anything. When everything seems out of control, focus on what you can control and make small, attainable goals for yourself! We have been through so much together already and we are almost through. Be well!

 

Works Cited:

Collier, Stephanie. “Could Covid-19 Infection Be Responsible for Your Depressed Mood or Anxiety?” Harvard Health Publishing – Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing, 25 May 2021, www.health.harvard.edu/blog/could-covid-19-infection-be-responsible-for-your-depressed-mood-or-anxiety-2021041922391.

“Covid Data Tracker Weekly Review.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-data/covidview/index.html.

Gruman, Jamie A., et al. Applied Social Psychology: Understanding and Addressing Social and Practical Problems. SAGE, 2017.

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23
Sep 21

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Have you been in a situation where you experienced an unpleasant event that left you traumatized for the rest of your life? Well, that is considered post-traumatic stress disorder in which an unpleasant event or incident happened that might cause life threatening injuries to a person. Although some are not life-long, many might be for a while and cause a person to fear his life. Symptoms, like nightmares, irritation, anxiety, depression and many more, should be shown before giving a person this diagnosis. An example of PTSD is riding a roller coaster in which I give an example explaining it more in depth below. Some treatments that would help with PTSD are cognitive processing theory and medications. PTSD is a psychological disorder that relates to other mental health disorders that we discussed in class like anxiety and depression.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a psychological disorder in which an incident or event happened that caused a person to constantly stay afraid or traumatized afterwards. Some reasons that a person might experience post-traumatic stress disorder is either experiencing an unpleasant event or going through something. For example, if someone has a fear of roller coasters and rides it one time or even sees on the news that a roller coaster stops midair for hours this would cause a person’s anxiety levels to increase causing a person to develop PTSD. It would also cause a person to fear riding a rollercoaster ever again. Not only does it cause a person to stress about it, but it might cause a person to have other symptoms. Other symptoms are like not being able to sleep, causing mental health problems, hyper vigilance, depression, nightmares and many more.

This might even cause a person to stress about it while only thinking and talking about remembering the bad experience. Some might experience it for a long time while others might only experience it for a short period of time. There are treatments that a person can go through which would help them with solving the problem. An example is cognitive processing theory in which the process changes the way that a person might think by changing their attitude resulting in a change in their feelings. Another treatment is medications in which stress relievers are given to a person to help calm down their nerves. As well as exposure therapy is a beneficial treatment because it helps with “Repeated confrontation of traumatic memories, often through detailed recounting of the traumatic experience” (3 Jonathan). These are only a few treatments for PTSD. Connecting it to the example of a roller coaster, PTSD is considered as a rollercoaster because of the ups and downs that it causes a person to go through. Consider yourself a psychologist or even a student pursuing psychology, how would you approach a person with PTSD? 

Post-traumatic stress disorder connects to the textbook reading in which it connects to different psychological disorders like anxiety and depression. PTSD is a form of anxiety in which as the levels of PTSD increases, more anxiety is caused. PTSD is considered a psychological disorder and to find treatments for these disorders, “social psychologists who work in this area study factors that might bias the process of identifying the nature of a client’s difficulty. They also study the impact on the client’s welfare of giving a diagnostic label to a client” (Gruman 99). Many disorders can be treated after researchers’ work with patients and finding the reason behind the diagnosis. An issue that is present in most physiological disorders is the labeling effect in which a person’s identity might be influenced by words that describe a person. There are other issues in psychological disorders which are present in the textbook like stereotypes, anchoring, and the confirmation bias (Gruman 124). Even though there are issues related to PTSD, it can be treated through different formats. 

Experiencing a traumatic incident or event that might cause a person to injure themselves is considered as post-traumatic stress disorder. There are many symptoms in which a person goes through to consider themselves having PTSD like constant fear, anxiety, lack of sleep, mental health problems, and many more. After diagnosing someone with PTSD, there are some treatments in which a person can go through to help with their mental disorder like cognitive processing, medications, and exposure therapy. Post-traumatic stress disorder connects to other psychological disorders discussed in the textbook like anxiety and depression. Even though there are treatments for PTSD, I think there should be more treatments and solutions to post-traumatic stress disorder. One question to keep you thinking is, how would you approach a person with PTSD?

Here is a link to another example of PTSD if you are interested.

https://youtu.be/YMC2jt_QVEE 

References:

Bisson, J. (2007, April 12). Post-traumatic stress disorder. Retrieved September 23, 2021, from https://www.bmj.com/content/334/7597/789

Gruman, J. A., Schneider, F. W., & Coutts, L. M. (2017). Applied social psychology: Understanding and addressing social and practical problems. SAGE.

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22
Sep 21

Mental Health in Adolescence

Adolescence brings many challenges that can be very difficult to control if it is not addressed early on. Risky behaviors can occur often such as drug and alcohol usage, violence, attempted suicide, abuse, etc. Once one of these behaviors occur, there is a possibility that they will be repeated in the future. Not only will it be repeated, but it can also lead to many mental health issues. Being involved in these behaviors can put someone’s goals and future success in jeopardy so it is important to discuss the consequences at an early age.

Many adolescents are exposed to these stressors due to their environments, including their homelife and at school. To prevent these behaviors, adolescents need a healthy relationship with a parent or guardian. They need to have a source of trust and reliance and know what actions are appropriate, and not appropriate. This leads into the Attachment theory, which states that young children need a secure relationship with at least one caregiver to aid in their development. If they build a strong relationship with someone who they look up to, such as a parent or even a teacher, they will be able to differentiate between what is right and wrong. Making right decisions can build a strong future for children, which should be a goal of any parent or guardian.

To prevent an increase in mental disorder, biopsychosocial approaches should be discussed. Rather than solely focusing on medicines and treatments to help mental illness, which can be defined as a biomedical approach, the mental and psychological health of adolescent’s should be discussed too. Because of the recent increase in mental health, a biopsychosocial approach could develop support groups, therapies, and organizations to share the importance of mental health. “Suicide is the second leading cause of death in young people aged 15–24 years, with a rate of 13.9 deaths by suicide in this population per day; the rate of suicide attempts is 100–200 times higher than that of completions.” Mental disorders can be incredibly damaging, and possibly irreversible. Suicide in adolescents is more common than ever, and it is our goal as a society to do anything we can to stop this. Learning how to prevent risky behaviors that could develop into a mental health disorder can be beneficial to anyone. Understanding mental health at a young age could limit the chance of suffering from a mental illness in the future or help limit the severity of mental illness if it occurs.

Many interventions can be put into place to share information on mental health, or guide people suffering from a mental illness. Some of these interventions include parents going to meetings that address topics such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, etc. The more that parents know, the more they will be concerned for their child and protect them from making life-threatening decisions. Students should also take a class of some sort that thoroughly discusses each behavior and lay out every outcome and consequence. Within this class, people who have experienced trouble in their adolescence, or who suffer from mental health, can come in and speak to the class of how it impacted their life. By doing this, adolescents will have a better grasp on what could happen, and how one bad decision can affect their overall health. Having available sources for people who struggle with mental health can reduce the amount of people affected, so all people should be aware of what mental health is, and its impact.

Mental health is often ignored, so it is important to share knowledge about it as much as possible. The stages of adolescence can be very stressful and overwhelming, and it is important that adolescents are aware of the changes they are facing. Many adolescents are involved in these risky behaviors because they want to fit in, so they should be aware of the consequences. As a society, we should make improvements and work towards better mental health by involving ourselves in interventions.

 

Reference

American Association of Suicidology. U.S.A. suicide: 2015 official final data. Available at: http://www.suicidology.org/Portals/14/docs/Resources/FactSheets/2015/2015datapgsv1.pdf?ver=2017-01-02-220151-870. Retrieved January 30, 2017. Washington, DC: AAS; 2016.

 

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24
Sep 20

Mental Health, Are We Treating the Whole?

It is no secret that mental health conditions are on the rise, impacting 1 in 5 adults according to the American Psychiatric Association. Since COVID 19 the situation has gotten worse. According to a report published in August 2020 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “U.S. adults reported considerably elevated adverse mental health conditions associated with COVID-19. Younger adults, racial/ethnic minorities, essential workers, and unpaid adult caregivers reported having experienced disproportionately worse mental health outcomes, increased substance use, and elevated suicidal ideation.” But what can we do to help those dealing with these issues?

 

In the past, when it came to mental health conditions, medical professionals were solely focused on understanding and treating the biological functions thought to be causing the illness. This approach called the biomedical model approach, viewed mental health conditions as being diseases of the brain, and sought to treat them solely by the use of medications. However, as suggested in Applied Social Psychology: Understanding and Addressing Social and Practical Problems this might not necessarily be the best approach.

 

It is believed that mental health conditions are affected by more than just biological factors. Psychological traits and social circumstances are also contributing factors and thus why the biopsychosocial model approach is now often implemented by medical professionals today. The biopsychosocial model approach, as its name suggests, believes that the best way to determine and treat illness is by a combination of not only biological factors but also psychological and social factors as well. When addressing issues of mental health, we need to look at the whole picture and treat not only the biochemical imbalances in the brain but also the psychological traits and social circumstances contributing to the mental health condition(s). Some of those psychological and social influences can include, childhood psychological trauma such as emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, suffering a loss at a young age such as the loss of a parent or sibling, gender identity, social class, and race and ethnicity.

 

Rather than taking a biomedical model approach that focuses solely on biological functioning to explain and treat an illness, we should take a biopsychosocial model approach a treat the whole person.

 

References

Mental Health 2020: A Presidential Initiative for Mental Health. (2019). Retrieved September 24, 2020, from https://www.psychiatry.org/File%20Library/Psychiatrists/Advocacy/Federal/Mental-Health-2020-A-Presidential-Initiative-for-Mental-Health.pdf

Mental Health, Substance Use, and Suicidal Ideation During the COVID-19 Pandemic – United States, June 24–30, 2020. (2020, August 13). Retrieved September 24, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6932a1.htm

BJ, D. (2013). The biomedical model of mental disorder: A critical analysis of its validity, utility, and effects on psychotherapy research. Retrieved September 24, 2020, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23664634/

Gruman, J. A., Schneider, F. W., & Coutts, L. M. (2017). Applied social psychology: Understanding and addressing social and practical problems. Los Angeles, CA: SAGE.

Bhandari, S. (2020, June 30). Causes of Mental Illness. Retrieved September 24, 2020, from https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-causes-mental-illness

Mechanic, D., & McAlpine, D. (2002, April 30). The Influence of Social Factors on Mental Health. Retrieved September 24, 2020, from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/0470846410.ch17

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13
Feb 20

SUICIDE: MILITARY’S WORST ENEMY

Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States. Suicide is a serious topic within the general population, as well as the military. Suicide rates for active-duty service members and veterans are rising. According to statistics, 20 veterans die by suicide each day (Giacomo, 2019.) It is not just members of the service that deal with stress, but families undergo many stressors and experience a variety of exposures while dealing with the military lifestyle. Veterans are victims of suicide due to many reasons, including failure to adapt back into civilian life, a process many find challenging, the feeling of helplessness, and dealing with Post Traumatic Symptom Disorder (PTSD).

One of the most significant battles is the military is seeking mental health treatment. Why? Because it goes against everything we are taught in boot camp. We are told to push through the pain and to think of everybody else before self. It is teaching us one team one fight culture, although this is contradicting because many of us associate that with keeping our needs and feelings to ourselves. There are many myths as to why service members are afraid or don’t come forward about mental health. One myth that is known amongst service members is that a psychological health condition or seeking professional help will automatically disqualify you for a security clearance. In fact, less than 1% of security clearance denials and revocations involve psychological health concerns. We can educate and prevent by bringing awareness to current trends and statistics in military health, to break the stigma regarding reprimands for seeking mental health, loss of security clearance/ active duty status, and other mental health myths.

There is no single cause for suicide. We have to pay attention to those around us and reach out if they show drastic changes and signs. The importance of knowing the warning signs is as critical as saving a life. Each suicide is one too many, and we need as much help to save lives. Suicide can’t be predicted but can be prevented. Seeking help is a sign of strength. September is the official Suicide Prevention Month.

 

Giacomo, C. (2019, November 1). Suicide Has Been Deadlier Than Combat for the Military. Retrieved February 13, 2020, from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/01/opinion/military-suicides.html.

Staglin, Garen. “The U.S. Military Can Lead The Way In Mental Health And Suicide Prevention.” Forbes, 21 Nov. 2019, www.forbes.com/sites/onemind/2019/11/21/the-us-military-can-lead-the-way-in-mental-health-and-suicide-prevention/#69e15b4e78ca.

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30
Sep 19

How Nutrition Impacts our Mental Health and Productivity

Most of us have heard the saying that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but how true does that ring for mental health and not just physical health? It is common knowledge that proper nutrition is a vital aspect of physical health and wellbeing, but there isn’t much public knowledge on how proper nutrition or lack thereof can influence mental health and performance. Since health psychologists focus much of their research on how behavioral changes are affected by psychological factors, we know there is a connection between mental health and behaviors. According to Gruman, Schneider, and Coutts (2017), health psychologists use psychology to promote healthy behaviors and prevent illnesses. We have seen over the years a gradual change towards health promotion and healthy behaviors like minimizing fast food and having a more active lifestyle to achieve optimal physical health. Can the same healthy recommendations affect mental health and performance in the same way? Would it be possible to treat mental illness with healthy behavioral changes like proper nutrition?

Some research suggests that certain nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids can have a positive impact on mental disorders like depression. According to one meta-analysis that analyzed the results of 26 studies, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids showed improvement on depressive symptoms, while DHA did not exhibit any change (Liao et al., 2019). By increasing omega-3 fatty acids in one’s diet, it can limit the onset of depressive episode and possibly prevent mental health disorders like postpartum depression. A blog by Harvard Medical School showed that omega-3 fatty acids can be used alone or in conjunction with prescription antidepressants with promising change for improvement for depression and other mood disorders (Mischoulon, 2018). In addition to treatment for mood disorders, nutritional changes can affect disorders like schizophrenia. Although the causes of schizophrenia are still unknown, it causes patients to experience disorganized behavior and an altered reality involving hallucinations and delusions. In order to combat this, some research suggests that a diet with a high dose of vitamin B6, B8, and B12 can help schizophrenia symptoms. In one meta-analysis study, researchers found that B vitamins showed a significant reduction in schizophrenic symptoms in patients when administered early on(Science Daily, 2017). If we can see improvement in mental disorders with dietary changes, can people without mental disabilities improve their mental health with the same changes?

Brain food is a common term used to describe foods that can improve brain functioning and mental performance. Can a banana or a stalk of broccoli help you solve crossword puzzles or perform better on tests? If true, this could become a useful tool in various environments like schools and work settings to increase productivity. Eating breakfast regularly has been promoted as an essential part of a diet because of its effects on overall health, but especially for children who attend school. In one study, it was found that 10th grade students who skipped breakfast frequently exhibited poor academic performance, fatigue, and increased distress (Lien, 2007). If more parents and schools encouraged daily breakfast, it could have amazing improvements on academic performance and overall mental wellbeing in children as well as adults. We know that there are types of foods that are known for improving mental performance such as fruits and vegetables, but there are specific foods that can improve certain aspects of brain functioning. For example, dark chocolate and blueberries contain antioxidants and also help improve memory loss. The vitamin K present in broccoli has shown to improve memory, but can also fight brain damage. Eating healthy is not only good for physical health, but also can improve mental functioning and wellbeing.

We have seen over the years the changes made to dietary recommendations to ensure that the public achieves optimal health. Dietary recommendations like the Food Pyramid or the Healthy Eating Plate have given guidelines that sought to educate the public on the types of food groups and servings of each that were to be consumed for a healthy diet. Although a healthy physique is an important aspect of life to fight off issues like obesity and diabetes, we also need to focus our attention on what a healthy diet could do for our mental health and wellbeing. I think more work should be done in the field of health psychology to investigate diets that could help treat or even cure mental disorders that often lead to a lack of nutrients in the body and brain. In order to promote health, we need to expand on ideas that help treat and prevent mental disorders and diseases. We could help children who battle eating disorders in school or veterans who suffer from PTSD just by analyzing and changing their diets to serve their mental needs. I think the problem with recommendations like the Food Pyramid and other food guidelines are that they are too one size fits all because everyone has different needs mentally, physically, and emotionally. Diets need to take on a more biopsychosocial perspective and become individualized for each person. I hope in the future we can move away from less pharmaceutical drugs to treat mental illnesses and focus more on nutritional healing.

References

Gruman, J. A., Schneider, F. W., & Coutts, L. M. (2017). Applied social psychology: understanding and addressing social and practical problems. Los Angeles, CA: SAGE.

Liao, Y., Xie, B., Zhang, H., He, Q., Guo, L., Subramaniapillai, M., … Mclntyer, R. S. (2019). Efficacy of omega-3 PUFAs in depression: A meta-analysis. Translational Psychiatry, 9(1). doi: 10.1038/s41398-019-0515-5

Lien, L. (2007). Is breakfast consumption related to mental distress and academic performance in adolescents? Public Health Nutrition, 10(4), 422–428. doi: 10.1017/s1368980007258550

Mischoulon, D. (2018, August 2). Omega-3 fatty acids for mood disorders. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/omega-3-fatty-acids-for-mood-disorders-2018080314414.

Science Daily. (2017, February 16). B vitamins reduce schizophrenia symptoms, study finds. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170216103913.htm.

 

 

 

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09
Feb 19

Animals: A Cure to End All Ills?

There has been plenty of research to support the idea that pets do have health benefits for their owners such as: lowering blood pressure, regulating heart rate, decreasing stress and anxiety, lower rates of depression, and increasing social support (Casciotti & Zuckerman, 2017). Because animals are known to help with stress, anxiety, and depression, there has been a recent interest in pet therapy in our country, especially in regards to students at college. According to a recent study, “over the previous six years, the number of students seeking counseling services increased by 29.6% and the total number of counseling appointments increased by 38.4%” (Green, et al., 2017, p. 50). There is a mental health crisis on college campuses, but maybe pet therapy could help.

Counseling services on campus aren’t enough to combat the rise of mental health issues in students, especially since many students do not feel comfortable using these services due to the stigmas surrounding mental health (Green, et al., 2017, p. 52). Colleges have found that Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) has helped in the regard as animals are known to help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression and most students are in favor of having pet therapy programs on campus (Green, et al., 2017, p. 52). Several studies have shown that having interactions with dogs significantly decreased stress in college students and in one study, results were seen after only ten minutes of interacting with the dog (Green, et al., 2017, p. 54).

There are some potential drawbacks of relying on animals for psychological health though. Stressful situations can occur at any time, but an animal may not be available for support at that time (Green, et al., 2017, p. 54). Many students have taken to having emotional support animals (ESAs) with them in their dorms, but ESAs do not have public access in the way that service dogs do, so the problem of accessibility remains. There are also the problems of phobias and allergies in regards to animals in public places and so schools must learn to balance the psychological needs of some students while respecting the fears and allergies of other students.

There may not be any perfect solution in regards to the mental health crisis on college campuses, but emotional support animals and pet assisted therapy could be good ways to start. In fact, some colleges are already implementing innovative therapy dog programs for their students. The Yale Law Library has started a pilot program where students can “check out”  Monty, the library’s new therapy dog, for 30 minute play sessions (Allen, 2011). The program started in 2011 and was a great success, so much so that other libraries are following suit and looking into getting their own library therapy dogs (Xu, 2015). Many of these universities, such as the University of San Francisco and Cornell, are bringing in dogs only on occasion, such as before final exams, instead of having the dog there for students all the time (Xu, 2015). No matter what the set up of the program though, the therapy dog programs have been well received by students who wait in lines to get a chance to interact with the dogs (Xu, 2015).

 

References:

Allen, J. (2011, March 24). Checking Out Monty: Yale Law Students Can Reduce Stress With Therapy Dog. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/Health/StressCoping/checking-monty-yale-law-students-reduce-stress-therapy/story?id=13206568

Casciotti, D., & Zuckerman, D. (2017, March 31). Animals play an important role in many people’s lives and often help with therapy, rehab, etc. Learn more about the possible benefits of pet companionship. Retrieved from http://www.center4research.org/benefits-pets-human-health/

Green, McEwen, S., Wrape, A., & Hammonds, F. (2017). The Mental Health Benefits of Having Dogs on College Campuses. Modern Psychological Studies, 22(2), 50–59. Retrieved from http://0-search.ebscohost.com.library.wvm.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=130798576&site=ehost-live

Xu, Q. (2015, December 9). Yale’s therapy-dog program spreads. Retrieved from https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2015/12/09/yales-therapy-dog-program-spreads/

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10
Oct 18

The importance of Mental Health in Business Organizations

For those of us who have worked in paying positions at a job we can attest to the high demands and stress that comes from working at any given job and for those who will be entering the workforce after completing school they also will experience the stress of working in their respective organizations. Yet, mental health is often one of the most important aspects of human health that is often overlooked. Many corporations have taken progressive approaches to health related issues such as physical health by offering either on site gyms and /or fitness regimes through paid coaches; companies also have taken proactive approaches to limit their employees desire to smoke cigarettes through progressive policies. Still mental health remains one of the most important topics that is still to be properly addressed.

According to the 2017 Skills and Employment Survey 45% being under constant pressure to meet tight deadlines, the senior leadership of companies does not appear to take employee wellbeing all that seriously (Percy,S 2018). Lucrative positions in the financial sector of the market are some of the worst offenders for less than ideal work environments for its employees. Recently it was reported that London bankers were experiencing cardiac arrest from the ages 20-30’s.

Dr. Arjun Ghosh, a consultant cardiologist at Barts Heart Centre in London estimated that in the last decade, he’s seen a 10% rise in heart attacks among bankers under the age of 30. Around one in ten of his patients in this age range work in finance (Selby-Green, M.2018). 

The unrealistic schedules set by companies for their employees have negative consequences not only physical by mental health of their employees. Such rigorous schedules implemented followed by unhealthy practices such as limited sleep schedules; unrealistic deadlines that compile to over-stress and general mistreatment of employees have all been factors that contributed the poor mental health of many individuals who are currently employed across the world.

What is more unsettling is the regressive approaches some businesses have taken when their employees were to report their grievances on how the work environment was impacting their personal health:

 Research by the UK’s Institute of Leadership & Management found that more than half (51%) of people who had confided in their line manager about a mental health issue did not receive any extra support. Even worse, 8% faced negative consequences, including being sacked or forced out, demoted or subjected to disciplinary action (Percy,S 2018).

8% of employees faced negative consequences for reporting mental health issues while more than half of the report employees didn’t receive any extra support. This is simply not only a detrimental stance that businesses are taking with regards to their own employees mental health but also a dangerous approach; The well being of their own employees need to taken better care of. If this behavior starts to spiral out of control there may very well be an adverse reaction from government regulations and public support; companies operate on the need to having a strong public perception and any negative reports can cost companies a substantial sum of money. Furthermore, it opens up a competitive advantage to rival companies who can offer better work environment for its employees. It goes without saying that you cannot run on efficiency when you’re own employees’ health is at risk.

References:

Percy, S. (2018, October 10). Mental Health Is A Corporate Risk So Why Aren’t Leaders Addressing It? Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/sallypercy/2018/10/10/mental-health-is-a-corporate-risk-so-why-arent-leaders-addressing-it/#fc066b4f4fc7

Selby-Green, M. (2018, August 04). ‘If you keep working, you will die’: London bankers in their 20s and 30s are having more heart attacks, doctors say. Retrieved from https://www.businessinsider.com/bankers-20s-and-30s-heart-attacks-2018-7

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04
Mar 18

Mentally Ill, Just not Legally So. .

One of the biggest areas that I believe that the justice system could use improvement is in the field of mental health.  While those that are rendered a verdict of not quilt due to mental illness have the benefit of being treated at a mental health facility, it unfortunately does not mean that all those are in need of mental health care receive it.  Not only are those with serious mental health issues, such as schizophrenia, are likely to be charged with a crime but far to often those with mental health issues are found guilty and sent in to the regular correctional system (Mental Health Care America, 2018).

The normal correctional system is unfortunately not always properly equipped to handle the special needs of those requiring mental health treatment.  The most common way that corrections institutions deal with inmates with mental health issues is to separate them from the general population.  While this is done to protect them it also can exacerbate the occurring issue.  Beyond the basic provision of medication and periodic psychiatric treatment their disorders go untreated.  This doesn’t seem to be too serious until one realizes that surveys have placed the number or inmates suffering from serious mental health issues as high as 20% and in prisons the number is estimated to be 15% (Treatment Advocacy, 2016).

Beyond the lack of formal treatment, inmates suffering from mental health issues are also at higher risk for other issues.  Issues such as physical assault, sexual assault, theft, increased infractions, and more.  They are also more likely to serve the full amount of their sentence due the higher likelihood of their mental health issues being perceived as rules violations (Mental Health Care America, 2018).

While a complete change of the justice system and it’s persecution of those that violate the law isn’t something that is feasible, any type of change that would make it easier for a not guilty verdict due to mental illness could possibly lead to criminals abusing it.  Therefore, prosecutors should be more aware of potential mental health issues and be more willing to work with individuals to provide the best treatment.  Once in the justice system correctional facilities should work more towards seeing the individuals as not just inmates but as mental health patients as well.  Facilities specializing in these treatments should be provided in order to best meet both the societies and individuals needs.

References

Access to Mental Health Care and Incarceration. (2018).  Retrieved from: http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/issues/access-mental-health-care-and-incarceration

Serious Mental Illness Prevalence in Jails and Prisons. (2016). Retrieved from: http://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/evidence-and-research/learn-more-about/3695

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03
Mar 17

Personality Disorders at the Interface of Psychiatry and the Law

The relationship between mental illness and causation of crime has been a popular topic among forensic psychiatrists and the justice system.  Pin pointing a direct cause for problematic behavior is mostly caused by a varying degree of personality disorders within legal contexts.  Personality disorders are defined as, “a type of mental disorder in which you have a rigid and unhealthy pattern of thinking, functioning, and behaving (Mayo Clinic, 2016).” Furthermore, the Criminology Resource Center explains criminal behavior in relation to four criteria: “First, the act is prohibited by law and punished by the state.  Next, it is considered to violate a moral or religious code and is considered punishable by a supreme spiritual being.  Third, the act violates norms of society or tradition and it punishable by a community.  Finally, it causes serious psychological stress of mental damage to the victim (Regis, 2017).” The context within this blog entry will address how personality disorders are implicated in forensic cases, as well as analyze how such disorders are viewed in different legal contexts (Johnson & Elbogen, 2013).

 

The evaluation process of different mental disorders is not viewed equally through forensic law.  At which point should flawed personality traits be considered an illness by a certified psychiatric diagnosis?  When is a personality disorder considered to cross the line into becoming an abnormal or severe condition?  Relatively, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is used to systematically organize diagnostic categories of certain mental disorders.    Individuals must meet established criterion in order to be legally classified with that particular ailment.  The DSM6’s definition of personality traits as, “ensuring patterns of perceiving, relating to, and thinking about the environment and one’s self that are exhibited in a wide range of social and personal contexts (Johnson & Elbogen, 2013).”  Relatively, personality traits are considered to be mental disorders (clinically and by the law) IF they show a precedence of impairments to overall functioning, resemble faulty adaptive constituents, and present distress on a continuum.  In many cases, mental illnesses can revise the definition of the law relevant to particular criminal and civil aspects.  Clinical Neuroscience report declares that, “classification and specific definitions of personality disorders can have a major impact on how and when they serve as modifiers [for the law] (Johnson & Elbogen, 2013).”  Conclusively, the legal system’s perception of understanding the relationship between mental health and law is determined by considering the different mechanisms of functional impairment relative to a specific person.

 

Personality disorders play a significant role in legal assessments of criminal behavior.  Clinical conceptions of personality disorders attempt to explain the criminal justice system.  Additionally, the role of mental health in varying testimonies is determined by the severity of functional impairment as a causative agent of criminal behavior and other social controversies.  Mental illness has been considered the key to understanding and potentially eradicating crime.  What is the current state of acceptance for assessing personality disorders within a forensic context?  Essentially, the law develops a basis for which personality disorders hold practical significance for litigations within the court of justice.  Clinical Neuroscience justifies the code of law as, “a system that must be applicable across diverse situations and populations (Johnson & Elbogen).”  Additionally, the law addresses the impact that these disorders may have on individual’s behavioral constituents, as well as implicating that people are responsible for their own actions.  Where does the jury draw the line on what is tolerated or accepted behavior, or what crosses into a realm of symptoms from psychological distress?  Psychiatric components and the law describe behavior as either “within or outside the norm, and define behavior as acceptable or not.”

 

Personality disorders are affected by various social pressures and societal means.  Additionally, mental illness is a huge topic of interest in the study of criminal forensics because it reflects various causation principles for problematic behaviors.  It is crucial that the criminal justice system assesses the importance and reality of impaired mental health and its impact on behavior.  Although, the law must be consistent with their definition of mental illness as some criminals may claim to be mentally unstable as an excuse for their wrongdoings.  Contrarily, areas with increased crime rates typically have a high prevalence of personality dysfunction (Johnson & Elbogen, 2013).  In conclusion, mental health explains various concepts which underlie acts of criminal offense.  Forensic psychopathology is influenced by various neurological systems that coincide with discrepancies for the human mind, which results in the prevalence of certain behavioral traits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

APA CITATIONS

Johnson, S. C., Elbogen, E. B. (2013, June). Personality Disorders at the Interface of Psychiatry and the Law: Legal Use and Clinical Classification. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3811091/

Regis. (2017, January 6). What is the definition of criminal behavior? Retrieved March 3, 2017, from http://criminology.regis.edu/criminology-programs/resources/crim-articles/definition-criminal-behavior

Clinic, M. (2016). Mayoclinic. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/personality-disorders/home/ovc-20247654

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28
Sep 14

Pursuit of Happiness

What is happiness? Happiness, although experienced by many on several different occasions is a concept that cannot be equally defined across cultures. Modern psychological studies measure happiness on three levels. This is most commonly called the measure of “subjective well-being” and include an individual describing whether they feel good, bad, or satisfied with life (Chang, 2014). Countries can be ranked on this three measures of happiness.

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As described in this particular article, in our Western culture we see happiness as one of the highest and most treasured human goods. This article definitely gave me quite a few things to think about in terms of the culture that we live in and the values that I was taught to hold as a child and even now as an adult. Growing up we always sought out the things that made us the happiest, most of us were told to do whatever we wanted with our lives as long as it made us happy. Growing up in this culture, it is hard to comprehend that in other cultures there is a certain level of fear that is held towards the feeling of happiness.

A man by the name of Mohsen Joshanloo, a published author who holds a PhD in Philosophy and Social Psychology, writes that there are many forms of fear that can be held towards happiness.  This can be shown by hate displays, anxiety, and looking down upon those who pursue happiness (Chang, 2014). When it comes to the Eastern culture it has been found that they tend to hold moral actions and social duties higher than the euphoric state of happiness (Chang, 2014).  A possible reason for this shift in attitudes about happiness can be thought that happiness is seen as fragile. I can recall several times in my life where my potential happy moment was overcome by sadness or disappointment over something so simple as a change in plans or even weather. This behavior leads me to wonder if the pursuit of happiness is healthy for our culture as a whole? Several clinical studies have been done to study the fear of happiness and they have found that the pursuit of happiness can actually help people to overcome depression, although not all people who hold a fear of happiness are at a risk for any mental illnesses (Chang, 2014). Although a study done by mental health researcher Paul Gilbert concluded that the fear of happiness had a strong positive correlation to depression and other depression-related beliefs (Chang, 2014).

Although cultures do hold different views of happiness, the positive psychological movement has become a pop-culture phenomenon in our Western society which has paved the way for an overproduction of self-help books. Learning such things made me analyze my own value placed on happiness and I have found that I fall in a small percentage of those who believe that unhappiness follows happiness, so I do hold a certain level of fear for the sensation. I feel that this has come from several situations in my childhood where I held high expectations of a good situation and became disappointed afterwards since it never met my expectations or that something incredibly bad always seemed to happen on the days that I was feeling good and happy. As with everyone else in this world I have gone through several bad moments in my life but the cure for this was always the pursuit of happiness, even if it was in something small like a walk outside or drawing a picture.

Happiness, a concept that has no one true definition, is something that helps us understand how complex and diverse the cultures of the world truly are.  Although not entirely universal, the sensation of happiness has been found to have an impact on our mental well being as well as our physical well being. It is hard to understand how an emotion can have such an impact on our mental condition or how it can make a major difference in our everyday lives.

 

 

 

Chang, Bettina. (September 2014). Hating Happiness. Pacific Standard: The Science of Society. Retrieved from http://www.psmag.com/navigation/books-and-culture/hating-happiness-who-is-afraid-different-cultures-western-psychology-research-91269/

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