Photo AI
Outline and explain two reasons why some ethnic groups may be more likely than others to be diagnosed as mentally ill. - AQA - A-Level Sociology - Question 7 - 2022 - Paper 2
Question 7
Outline and explain two reasons why some ethnic groups may be more likely than others to be diagnosed as mentally ill.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Outline and explain two reasons why some ethnic groups may be more likely than others to be diagnosed as mentally ill. - AQA - A-Level Sociology - Question 7 - 2022 - Paper 2
Step 1
Reason 1: Social Inequalities
Answer
One reason that some ethnic groups may be more likely to be diagnosed as mentally ill is due to social inequalities. Factors such as poverty, discrimination, and marginalization can lead to increased stress, which can contribute to mental health issues. These social constructs often affect access to mental health services, resulting in higher diagnosis rates among these groups.
For example, individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may experience greater levels of stress and may be less able to seek help, leading to an increase in reported mental health issues when they eventually do seek treatment.
Step 2
Reason 2: Cultural Differences in Reporting
Answer
Another reason is cultural expectations and differences in how mental illness is perceived and reported across various ethnic groups. Cultural beliefs can influence whether individuals view their experiences as a mental illness and whether they feel comfortable reporting these symptoms to healthcare professionals.
For instance, some cultures may stigmatize mental illness, resulting in individuals from these backgrounds being less likely to report their symptoms. This could lead to underdiagnosis in some groups while others may more readily seek treatment, thus affecting overall statistics on mental health diagnoses.