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Life-Course Perspectives on Mental Health

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Handbook of the Sociology of Mental Health

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

Abstract

This chapter examines mental health and mental illness from a life-course perspective. Of necessity, discussion will focus more on the potential of life-course perspectives to inform us about the antecedents and consequences of mental health than about its demonstrated utility. Although the life-course paradigm has played a notable and increasing role in sociology for the past 25 years or so, it has had, as yet, limited impact on sociological studies of mental health. Thus, the major content of this chapter will consist of conceptual links between (1) the life-course and mental health and (2) the ways in which mental health research to date is compatible with life-course perspectives.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology and Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA

    Linda K. George

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  1. Linda K. George
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Editors and Affiliations

  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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George, L.K. (1999). Life-Course Perspectives on 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_27

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-36223-1_27

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