Published
24 Jun 2022Page count
198 pagesISBN
978-1529215052Dimensions
234 x 156 mmImprint
Bristol University PressPublished
24 Jun 2022Page count
198 pagesISBN
978-1529215045Dimensions
234 x 156 mmImprint
Bristol University PressPublished
24 Jun 2022Page count
198 pagesISBN
978-1529215069Imprint
Bristol University PressPublished
24 Jun 2022Page count
198 pagesISBN
978-1529215069Imprint
Bristol University Press
Explaining Mental Illness
Shortlisted for the Foundation for the Sociology of Health and Illness Book Prize
How can sociology explain the emergence of mental disorders in societies or individuals?
This authoritative book makes a case for the renewal of the sociology of mental illness, proposing a reorganisation of this field around four areas: social stratification, stress, labelling and culture. Drawing on case studies from a range of global contexts, the book argues that current research focuses on identifying ‘social factors’, leaving the question of causality to psychiatry, while significant critical perspectives remain untapped.
The result is an unprecedented resource that maps the current state of sociology of mental health, providing an invigorating manifesto for its future.
"The book provides a very good overview of the rich and sophisticated social science research landscape in this area." Symbolic Interaction
“A breath of fresh air! Lively, informative, readable and challenging. It’s time to chuck out your old sociology of mental health textbook – Brossard and Chandler have just produced the new standard.” Bruce Cohen, University of Auckland
Baptiste Brossard is Lecturer in Sociology at the University of York.
Amy Chandler is Senior Lecturer in Health in Social Science at the University of Edinburgh.
Introduction: Towards a Critical Renewal of the Sociology of Mental Health
1. Social Positions ‘and’ Mental Disorders
2. Society as Stressor
3. The Weight of Labels
4. The Uses of Culture
Conclusion: Explaining the ‘Mental Health Crisis’
