Mental Illness Is a Common

Mental illness is a common sociological and psychological phenomenon that affects many American individuals. The tragedy is that many do not seek help as a result of stigmatization or simply because they do not know where to turn. Others however have the luxury of caring family members, friends, and a supportive clinical network. Because there is so much misconception surrounding the issues related to mental illness, Payton (2007) suggests that research should focus upon clarifying concepts such as alienation and how it relates to mental illness and stigmatization.

Possible questions for the research issue of mental illness in society include the following:

What are the living conditions of the mentally ill in institutions and community-based facilities?

Rohlfsen (2003) notes that the mentally ill has been historically dehumanized by institution. The rules, regulations and punishments within facilities were for example comparable to the treatment of children. Although this situation has greatly improved, many of the paradigms historically initiated still remain in the form of stigmatization.

This is also indicated by the "final destination" of many who are severely mentally ill and who do not have adequate support systems to help them. Many of these persons engage in criminal activity and become incarcerated (Harrison and Nadeau, 2007, p. 2).

Question 2

How does the media influence the general social perception of mental illness and those suffering from it?

Stout and Jennings (2004) suggest that the media can be held accountable for many of the beliefs and concomitant stigmatization of mental illness in society today. In order to substantiate this, they focus their study on prime time broadcasts, to which children are usually exposed. This exposure then forms the concept of mental health early in life and perpetuates it through adulthood.

Haverhals and Lang (2004, p. 28) on the other hand suggest that the media could also be used to positively influence the social perception of mental illness. Although their findings are inconclusive, the authors have found that positive advertising may counteract the negative influence of the general media.

Question 3

To what degree are those suffering from mental illness at risk of substance abuse?

Question 4

Does substance abuse significantly encourage criminal activity among the mentally ill?

Both these questions are addressed by Harrison and Nadeau (2007), who suggest that inmates in state prisons tend to not only return to their criminal activities once they are released, but also tend to relapse into substance abuse. This is exacerbated in the absence of adequate formal or informal support systems.

2)

Possible hypotheses are as follows:

Hypothesis 1:

The mentally ill are continually dehumanized by both living conditions and stigmatization in mental health and other state facilities.

Hypothesis 2:

Because of stigmatization promoted by society and the media, the mentally ill are particularly vulnerable to substance abuse and are concomitantly prone to criminal activities.

3) Null Hypotheses

Null Hypothesis 1: The mentally ill do not experience adverse living conditions in state institutions and facilities.

Null Hypothesis 2: The mentally ill are not particularly at risk of substance abuse or criminal activity.

4) Independent and Dependent Variables

Independent variables that might influence the study focused on the mentally ill include other influencing factors such as support from family, friends, age, and the use of psychotropic drugs.

Independent variables that can influence the study includes attitudes and stigmatization by professionals at institutions that house mentally ill inmates. This can be influenced by individuals' knowledge of the mentally ill, such as having family members or friends with related conditions.

5) Operational Definitions:

Support from family and friends is taken to mean monitoring medication and liaising with mental health professionals.

In terms of age, it is commonly experienced that mentally ill patients tend to become more responsible with age in terms of understanding the nature of their condition and taking responsibility for medication and regular clinic visits.