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Self, Identity, Stress, and Mental Health

  • Chapter
Handbook of the Sociology of Mental Health

Part of the book series: Handbooks of Sociology and Social Research ((HSSR))

Abstract

It is virtually impossible to develop a theory of the etiology of mental illness without thinking about self and identity issues. Almost all approaches in psychiatry and clinical psychology (with the exception of behaviorism) view individuals’ mental health as at least partly influenced by positive self-conceptions, high self-esteem, and/or the possession of valued social identities. Conversely, psychological disorder has been attributed to unconscious conflicts within the ego (Freud, 1933), arrested or inadequate identity development (e.g., Erikson, 1963; Freud, 1933), threats to self-conception or self-esteem (e.g., Abramson, Metalsky, & Alloy, 1989), and identity loss (Breakwell, 1986; Brown & Harris, 1978; Thoits, 1986), among many related processes. Indeed, some theorists and researchers see injuries to identity or self-worth not only as precursors but as keymarkers of mental disorder (e.g., Beck, 1967; Abramson et al., 1989).1 This can be seen in the criteria for various mental disorders in the fourth edition of theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994). For example, “low self-esteem,” “feelings of worthlessness,” and/or “unstable self-image” are key criteria in the identification of major depression, bipolar disorder, dysthymia (chronic depressed mood), and borderline and avoidant personality disorders.2

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, 37235, USA

    Peggy A. Thoits

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  1. Peggy A. Thoits
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  1. Department of Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, 90095-1772, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Carol S. Aneshensel

  2. Division of Sociomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, Columbia University, 10032, New York, New York, USA

    Jo C. Phelan

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Thoits, P.A. (1999). Self, Identity, Stress, and Mental Health. In: Aneshensel, C.S., Phelan, J.C. (eds) Handbook of the Sociology of Mental Health. Handbooks of Sociology and Social Research. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-36223-1_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-36223-1_17

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-32516-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-36223-6

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