Conceptualizations of Mental Health Across Europe: Comparing Psychology with Science and Engineering Students

Sanne M A Lamers; Pelin Gul; Beáta E Kovács; Renske Kroeze; Anna M K Müller; Irena Stojadinović; Dorota L Stuker; Alice Vigani

doi:10.5334/jeps.bt

Conceptualizations of Mental Health Across Europe: Comparing Psychology with Science and Engineering Students

Volume 5 (2014): Issue 2

By: Sanne M A Lamers, Pelin Gul, Beáta E Kovács, Renske Kroeze, Anna M K Müller, Irena Stojadinović, Dorota L Stuker and Alice Vigani

Open Access

|May 2014

Abstract

There is a lack of consensus on the conceptualization of mental health, with models emphasizing negative aspects, positive aspects, or both. The models are mainly theory-based and may not fit in with the population’s opinions. The aim of this ongoing study is to investigate the conceptualizations of mental health in Europe from psychology, science, and engineering students’ perspectives in an explorative way through semi-structured interviews. Their conceptualizations of mental health are investigated qualitatively by thematic analysis to compare seven European countries. Results can be used to improve mental health questionnaires and interventions across Europe by enhancing the fit with students’ conceptualizations.

References

Braun V. Clarke V. Using thematic analysis in psychology Qualitative Research in Psychology 2006 3 77 101 10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Davidson L. Recovery, self-management and the expert patient: Changing the culture of mental health from a UK perspective Journal of Mental Health 2005 14 25 35 10.1080/09638230500047968
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Delle Fave A. Brdar I. Freire T. Vella-Brodrick D. Wissing M. P. The eudaimonic and hedonic components of happiness: Qualitative and quantitative findings Social Indicators Research 2011 100 185 207 10.1007/s11205-010-9632-5
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hicks S. Tinkler L. Allin P. Measuring subjective well-being and its potential role in policy: Perspectives from the UK office for national statistics Social Indicators Research 2013 114 73 86 10.1007/s11205-013-0384-x
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Huppert F. A. Cooper C. L. Well-being: A complete reference guide, interventions and policies to enhance well-being 2014 John Wiley & Sons 6
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Huppert F. A. Marks N. Clark A. Siegrist J. Stutzer A. Vittersø J. Wahrendorf M. Measuring well-being across Europe: Description of the ESS well-being module and preliminary findings Social Indicators Research 2009 91 301 315 10.1007/s11205-008-9346-0
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Jahoda M. Current concepts of positive mental health 1958 New York Basic Books 10.1037/11258-000
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Keyes C. L. M. The mental health continuum: From languishing to flourishing in life Journal of Health and Social Behavior 2002 43 207 222 10.2307/3090197
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Lu L. Gilmour R. Kao S. Cultural values and happiness: An east-west dialogue The Journal of Social Psychology 2001 141 477 493 10.1080/00224540109600566
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Maddux J. E. Snyder C. R. Lopez S. J. Stopping the “madness”: Positive psychology and the deconstruction of the illness ideology and the DSM Handbook of positive psychology 2002 New York, NY Oxford University Press 13 25
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ryff C. D. Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning psychological well-being Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 1989a 57 1069 1081 10.1037/0022-3514.57.6.1069
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ryff C. D. In the eye of the beholder: Views of psychological well-being among middle-aged and older adults Psychology and Aging 1989b 4 195 201 10.1037/0882-7974.4.2.195
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Seligman M. E. P. Csikszentmihalyi M. Positive psychology: An introduction American Psychologist 2000 55 5 14 10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.5
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Slade M. Mental illness and mental well-being: The central importance of positive psychology and recovery approaches BMC Health Services Research 2010 10 26 39 10.1186/1472-6963-10-26
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
The NHS Confederation Public mental health and well-being: The local perspective 2011 the National Health Service Confederation September 17 2013, website: http://www.nhsconfed.org/
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
WHO Strengthening mental health promotion 2001d Geneva World Health Organization (Fact sheet no. 220)
Search in Google Scholar Back to article

Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/jeps.bt | Journal eISSN: 2222-6931

Journal RSS Feed

Language: English

Page range: 3 - 7

Published on: May 21, 2014

Published by: Ubiquity Press

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Keywords:

mental health,

well-being,

culture,

cross-country,

qualitative analysis,

thematic analysis

© 2014 Sanne M A Lamers, Pelin Gul, Beáta E Kovács, Renske Kroeze, Anna M K Müller, Irena Stojadinović, Dorota L Stuker, Alice Vigani, published by Ubiquity Press
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 5 (2014): Issue 2