Skip to main content
Log in

Task force report: The social climate of mental health

  • Articles
  • Published:
Community Mental Health Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper focuses on the contributions the field of social ecology can make to understanding and assessing the social environment, with special reference to the prevention of mental illness. Intervention in the social environment for, mental illness prevention calls for an adequate concept of the environmental effects of mental health; a classification method for measuring and comparing different environments; a knowledge of the relationships between environmental variables and behavioral or psychological outcomes; and a way of determining, the most effective interventions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Altman, I.The environment and social behavior: Privacy, personal space, territory, crowding. Monterey, Calif.: Brooks/Cole, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A.Social learning theory. Morristown, N.J.: General Learning Press, 1971.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barker, R.Ecological psychology. Stanford, Calif.: Stanford University Press, 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bateson, G., Jackson, D., Haley, J., & Weakland, J. Toward a theory of schizophrenia.Behavioral Science, 1956,1, 251–264.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bloom, B. A census tract analysis of socially deviant behaviors.Multivariate Behavior Research, 1966,1, 307–320.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buehler, R. E., Patterson, G. R., & Furniss, J. M. The reinforcement of behavior in institutional settings.Behavior Research and Therapy, 1966,5, 157–167.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cobb, S. Role responsibility: The differentiation of a concept.Occupational Mental Health, 1973,3, 10–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cumming, J., & Cumming, E.Ego and milieu. New York: Atherton Press, 1962.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dee, W. An ecological study of mental disorders in metropolitan St. Louis. In C. Schroeder, Mental disorders in cities.American Journal of Sociology, 1942,48, 40–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Douglas, J. W. B.The home and the school. London: MacGibbon & Kee, 1964.

    Google Scholar 

  • Endler, N. S., & Hunt, J. McV. S-R inventories of hostility and comparisons of the proportions of variance from persons, responses, and situations for hostility and anxiousness.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1968,9, 309–315.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fairweather, G., Sanders, D., Cressler, D., & Maynard, H.Community Life for the Mentally Ill. Chicago: Aldine, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  • Faris, R. E., & Dunham, H. W.Mental disorders in urban areas. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1939.

    Google Scholar 

  • French, J. R. P. Person-role fit.Occupational Mental Health, 1973,3, 15–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • French, J. R. P., Rodgers, W., & Cobb, S. Adjustment as person-environment fit. In D. Hamburg, G. Coelho, & J. E. Adams (Eds.),Coping and adaptation. New York: Basic Books, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fried, M., & Gleicher, P. Some sources of residential satisfaction. In H. M. Proshansky, W. H. Ittelson, & L. G. Rivlin (Eds.),Environmental psychology (2nd ed.). New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Friedlander, F., & Greenberg, S. Effects of job attitudes, training and organization climate on performance of the hard-core unemployed.Journal of Applied Psychology, 1971,55, 287–295.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gans, H. J. Planning and social life: Friendship and neighbor relations in suburban communities. In H. M. Proshansky, W. H. Ittlelson, & L. G. Rivlin (Eds.),Environmental psychology (2nd ed.). New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Halpin, A., & Croft, D.The organizational climate of schools. Chicago: Midwest Administration Center, University of Chicago, 1963.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hare, E. H. Mental illness and social conditions in Bristol.Journal of Mental Science, 1956,102, 349–357.

    Google Scholar 

  • Insel, P. M., & Moos, R. H.The work environment scale. Palo Alto, Calif.: Social Ecology Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  • Insel, P. M., & Moos, R. H. Psychological environments: Expanding the scope of human ecology.American Psychologist, 1974,29, 179–188.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kahn, R. L. conflict, ambiguity, and overload: Three problems in job stress.Occupational Mental Health, 1973,3, 2–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, B., Reed, R., & Richardson, W. A comparison of the incidence of hospitalized and non-hospitalized cases of psychosis in two communities.American Sociology Review, 1956,21, 472–479.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klee, G. D., Spiro, E., Bahn, A., & Gorwitz, K. An ecological analysis of diagnosed mental illness in Baltimore. In R. Monroe, G. Klee, & E. Brody, (Eds.),Psychiatric epidemiology and mental health planning. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association, 1967.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kohn, M. Class, family, and schizophrenia: A reformulation.Social Forces, 1972,50, 295–304.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lapouse, R., Monk, M., & Terris, M. The “drift” hypothesis in socioeconomic differentials in schizophrenia.American Journal of Public Health, 1956,46, 978–986.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levy, L., & Rowitz, L.The ecology of mental disorder. New York: Behavioral Publications, 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  • Litwin, G., & Stringer, R.Motivation and organizational climate. Boston: Harvard Business School, 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marsella, A. J., Escudeo, M., & Gordon, P. The effects of dwelling density on mental disorders in Filipino men.Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 1970,II, 288–294.

    Google Scholar 

  • Milgram, S. The experience of living in cities.Science, 1970,167, 1461–1468.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mintz, M., & Schwartz, D. Urban ecology and psychosis: Community factors in the incidence of schizophrenia and manic-depression among Italians in greater Boston.International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 1964,10, 101–118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mischel, W.Personality and assessment. New York: Wiley, 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, R. E. Some implications of high density housing.American Sociology Review, 1971,36, 18–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R. H. Sources of variance in responses to questionnaires and in behavior.Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1969,74, 405–412.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R. H.Military company environment inventory manual. Palo Alto, Calif.: Social Ecology Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University, 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R. H.Community oriented programs environment scales manual. Palo Alto, Calif.: Consulting Psychologists Press, 1974(a).

    Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R. H.Correctional institutions environment scale manual. Palo Alto, Calif: Consulting Psychologists Press, 1974(b).

    Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R. H.Evaluating treatment environments: A social ecological approach. New York: Wiley, 1974(c).

    Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R. H., and associates.The human context: Environmental determinants of behavior. New York: Wiley, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R. H., & Gerst, M.University residence environment scale manual. Palo Alto, Calif.: Consulting Psychologists Press, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R. H., Insel, P. M. and Humphrey, B. Family, work, and group environment scales manual. Palo Alto, Calif: Consulting Psychologists Press, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R. H., Shelton, R., & Petty, C. Perceived ward climate and treatment oucome.Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1973,82, 291–298.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mumford, L.The urban prospect. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murray, H.Explorations in personality. New York: Oxford University Press, 1938.

    Google Scholar 

  • Myers, J. K., & Bean, L. L.A decade later: A followup of social class and mental illness. New York: Wiley, 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pace, C. R., & Stern, G. G. An approach to the measurement of psychological characteristics of college environments.Journal of Educational Psychology, 1958,49, 269–277.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pace, R.College and university environment scales: Technical manual. Princeton, N.J.: Educational Testing Service, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pervin, L. A. A twenty-college study of student × college interaction using TAPE (transactional analysis of personality and environment): Rationale, reliability, and validity.Journal of Educational Psychology, 1967,58, 290–302.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, R., Centra, J., Hartnett, R., & Linn, R. Institutional functioning inventory. Princeton, N.J.: Educational Testing Service, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saegert, S. Stress-inducing and reducing qualitites of environments. In H. M. Proshansky, W. H. Ittelson, & L. G. Rivlin (Eds.),Environmental psychology (2nd ed.). New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneider, B., & Bartlett, C. Individual differences and organizational climate.Personnel Psychology, 1970,23, 493–512.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sells, B. (Ed.)Stimulus determinants of behavior. New York: Ronald Press, 1963.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shrank, R.Ten thousand working days. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  • Skinner, B. F. The social environment. In R. H. Moos & P. M. Insel (Eds.),Issues in social ecology: Human milieus. Palo Alto, Calif.: National Press, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stern, G. G. B=f(P, E).Journal of Personality Assessment, 1964,28, 161–168.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stern, G. G.People in context: Measuring person-environment congruence in education and industry. New York: Wiley, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stern, G. G., Stein, M., & Bloom, B.Methods in personality assessment. Glencoe, Ill.: Free Press, 1956.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stokols, D. A social-psychological model of human crowding phenomena.Journal of the American Institute of Planners, 1972,38, 72–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Studer, R. G. Man-environment relations: Discovery or design. In W. F. E. Preiser (Ed.),Environmental design research. Stroudsberg, Penn.: Dowdon, Hutchinson & Ross, 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  • Studer, R. G. The dynamics of behavior-contingent physical systems. In H. M. Proshansky, W. H. Ittelson, & L. G. Rivlin (Eds.),Environmental psychology (2nd ed.). New York: Holt, Rinehart, & Winston, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trickett, E., & Moos, R. Classroom environment scale manual. Palo Alto, Calif.: Consulting Psychologists Press, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare.The mental health of urban America: The urban programs of the National Institute of Mental Health. Public Health Service Publication No. 1906. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vail, D., Lucero, J., & Boen, J. The relationship between socioeconomic variables and major mental illness in the counties of a midwestern state.Community Mental Health Journal, 1966,2, 211–212.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walberg, H. Social Environment as a mediator of classroom learning.Journal of Educational Psychology, 1969,60, 443–448.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wechsler, H., & Pugh, T. Fit of individual and community characteristics and rates of psychiatric hospitalization.American Journal of Sociology, 1967,73, 331–338.

    Google Scholar 

  • White, R. Motivation reconsidered: The concept of competence.Psychological Review, 1959,66, 297–333.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolfe, R. The measurement of environments. In A. Anastasi (Ed.),Testing problems in perspective. Washington, D.C.: American Council on Education, 1966.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

is Chairman, Task Force on Environmental Assessment, National Council of Community Mental Health Centers.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Insel, P.M. Task force report: The social climate of mental health. Community Ment Health J 16, 62–78 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00780667

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00780667

Keywords

Navigation