Dr. Najwa Helal Alharbi^*
Assistant Professor of Medical Sociology, Social Work Department, Social Science College, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Volume: 15 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 86-97 | December 2023 |https://doi.org/10.54940/ss82276609|PDF
Received:10/8/2023 | Revised:14/10/2023 | Accepted:12/11/2023
*Corresponding Author:nhoharbi@uqu.edu.sa

Abstract
The sociological perspective on mental health is essential for understanding the characteristics of individuals with mental illness, the underlying causes, and potential remedies. However, there is a lack of Arabic studies that explore the definitions of mental health and illness through the lens of contemporary social theorists such as Goffman, Foucault, and Giddens. Various theorists have proposed differing explanations of mental illness from sociological viewpoints. This study aims to provide a theoretical framework for understanding definitions and responses to mental health from these sociological perspectives. Specifically, the paper analyzes the views of different philosophers regarding mental health and illness, focusing on the insights of contemporary theorists like Goffman, Foucault, and Giddens. The findings indicate that these theorists offer valuable perspectives on mental health. Each utilizes distinct theories to illustrate mental health issues causes, treatment, and consequences. For instance, Goffman employs the theory of stigma, Foucault focuses on the theory of social power, and Giddens discusses the theory of structuration. Moreover, all three theorists agree that mental illness is influenced by social factors, including social stigma, societal perceptions, social roles, and norms, as well as individuals' social and economic status.

Keywords
Mental health/ Illness, Social, Stigma, Social Norms, Social Structure, Social theory.

How to Cite
Alharbi, N. (2023). The Sociological Explanations of Mental Health: Insights from Goffman, Foucault, and Giddens.Journal of Umm Al-Qura University for Social Sciences, Vol-15 (4) pp. 86-97https://doi.org/10.54940/ss82276609

License
Copyright (c) 2023. This work is licensed under aCreative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC)