Link between Social Class and Depression for Women in Scotland - Essay Example

?The Relationship between Social and Depression in Women in Scotland Introduction: In the modern world, several lifestyle changes have occurredespecially in the context of workplace and family and balancing between the two. Thus, the modern humans on the one hand suffer from stress from the workplace and on the other due to pressure from the family front. In this backdrop, people in the present day face a lot of mental health problem, which is a major concern in societies across the world. While mental health problem in itself becomes a challenge for an average person, it becomes more magnified in the case of marginalised individuals from the lower strata of society, as they have to cope with many other issues that may compound their mental health problems. Besides, evidence also suggests that social issues such as poverty and discrimination can “undermine the recovery of people” from mental health problems (Myers, McCollam & Woodhouse, 2005, p.1). It further transpires that despite various initiatives taken to mitigate the problem, various challenges to mental health in Scotland arising out of “poverty, deprivation, discrimination and inequality” still remain unresolved (p.1). The problem appears to be more compounded in the case of Scottish females from lower social strata as they are unlikely to be financially independent and, thus, have to cope with various other stress elements. In this scenario, a research into the relationship between social class and depression in females in Scotland can facilitate reasonable insights into the mental health problems of this segment, which the logic behind the choice of this topic. The research will primarily be based on the information gleaned from various articles published on the topic, which have been discussed in detail in the annotated bibliography appended below. Scotland’s Mental Health and Its Context: Adults 2009, written by Taulbut M, Parkinson J, Catto S, and Gordon D: This report, co-authored by four professionals in the public health field, on behalf of NHS Health Scotland, identifies the improvement of mental health as a “national priority” and sets out the objectives of the Scotland government (Taulbut et al, 2009, p.1). It attempts to describe the concept of mental health, identify the risk factors that may cause mental problems as well as the “difference within the adult population by selected dimensions of equality” (p.1). The report has relied on both quantitative and qualitative data in arriving at its findings and overall it captures the situation in Scotland, especially in the context of specific social status. The data considered for the report are from reliable sources such as public surveys or published by organizations in public or mental health. The surveys relating to 2003 suggest that women and people who live in “deprived communities” are “significantly more likely” to become victims of the mental health problems (p.17). It further points to the findings that women have higher risk of mental health problems and “17%” females have been found to be having ailing from mental health problem while the percentage of males remained at 13 (p.18). In the specific context of depression, the report maintains that it did not “significantly” differ among gender or age (p.20). Available data further suggests that the adults from lower social strata are more likely to manifest the symptoms of mental health problems at “12% compared with 8%” of those from higher echelons of the society (p.21). The findings of the study further suggest about three-fourth of the indicators of equalities analysis indicate an “association between poor mental health” and socio-economic disadvantages (p.155). The report finally provides benchmarks for “mental health improvement in Scotland” but concedes to one limitation that the data in most cases relate to the year 2000. However, the authors believe that when the availability and quality of data improves in the future the benchmarks can be modified suitably. The present study will, therefore, consider relatively fresh data for the purpose of investigation while conducting the actual research. Developing Social Prescribing and Community Referrals for Mental Health in Scotland: The above report, prepared on behalf of the Scottish Government’s National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Wellbeing, envisages community based intervention methods or “social prescribing” for addressing the mental health issues in the Scottish population. Though the report has considered some quantitative data, it basically relies on qualitative aspects of the issue for suggestion the intervention and monitoring its progress. Data considered in the report suggests that “21% of Scottish women” are known to have suffered from depression at one or the other point of their lives (Developing Social Prescribing, 2007, p.21). It further finds that women are found to consult their doctors for depression about “two and a half times more commonly than men” and this trend is specifically seen to be increasing in the case of females living in the “most deprived areas” (p.21). Thus, this report adequately supports the assumption that mental health issues such as depression is a common feature among females and especially those who hail from the lower social order. The report relies heavily on the premise that non-medical ways of interventions can “improve the outcomes in mental health” and create a more effective impact on the patients’ well being (p.21). This finding further seems to suggest that social inequalities and apprehension about one’s lower social status has highly damaging effects on the sense of self worth in women, which appears to be the reason for higher percentage of females from the lower social strata. The report further contends that mental health problems are more rampant among women with “low literacy skills” which is a common feature among females from the low social order (p.43). Thus, this report focuses on the need for addressing the social problems of the individuals, especially women, and improving their status in the society by various models of social prescribing. This approach, the report emphasises, will have better effect on individuals and thereby enhance their sense of self respect and mitigate their depression. Perinatal Mental Health of Black and Minority Ethnic Women: A Review of Current Provision in England, Scotland and Wales by Dr Dawn Edge: This article contends that perinatal mental health is a “serious public health issue” which has long lasting consequences on a woman’s as well as the child’s mental health throughout their life span (Edge, 2010, p.4). It also acknowledges the “strong correlation” between the onset of perinatal mental illness and social circumstances of women (p.4). However, the report recognizes the dearth of studies that considers the relationship between perinatal mental illness and black and minority ethnicity (BME) and intends to explore this area. The research has mainly focused on quantitative data collection, spanning the period from “September 2009 to March 2010” and the article also has considered a review of literature on the subject (p.4). It becomes relevant here that a major part of the BME population belongs to the socially lower class and hence the topic of this research is highly relevant to the women from low social class. Thus, the findings of this study suggests that “promoting greater community engagement” will go a long way in helping the NHS to meet its obligation of providing “non-discriminatory services” to all its citizens across the UK (p.26). The findings also suggest a lack of “specific provision for BME women” and thus point to a situation where the needs of this segment are either overlooked or “remain unmet” (p.27, 28). In his conclusion, the author emphasises serious implications of perinatal mental diseases on the mother, child and their families, which are specifically relevant in the case of BME women, who remain “particularly vulnerable” by virtue of the “social and material deprivation” (p.28). This article is specifically relevant to the current study as it encompasses the target group of women who are potentially lacking in terms of social circumstances and financial resources to appropriately combat the negative effects of mental health issues and the resultant depression. Growing Up in Scotland: Maternal Mental Health and Its Impact on Child Behaviour and Development by Louise Marryat and Claudia Martin: This article is based on the premise that mental health in the childhood is the “precursor to a healthy and productive adulthood” and that the socio-economic background as well as the parents’ mental health exercises a significant influence on this (Marryat and Claudia, 2010, p.V). It aims to evaluate the effects of the mental health problems of mothers on the mental health of their children and also analyses the characteristics of women who tend to be vulnerable to the threat of mental health issues. The investigation has relied on primary data collection through interviews and statistical analysis of the quantitative data so gleaned. Citing evidence from the previous researches, the authors contend that depression is a “common” phenomenon that affects “1 in 5 women” during pregnancy as well as in the first six months since the birth of the child (p.2). They further find that mental health problems in women are “associated” with their “social characteristics” including low income and deprivation (p.9). Besides, the study corroborates the notion that low social status entailed higher risk for mental health issues in terms of data, which shows that “82%” of women from high income group manifested good or average mental health while only “52%” from low income segment have been found mentally healthy (p.13). The study based on statistical evidence contends that women with low incomes tend to have sustained mental health problems with 24% against a much lesser 6% in women in the high income group. The findings suggest a strong linkage of “maternal depression” to “long-term outcomes” for their children, and since the mental problems in mothers are associated with their social class, it can be construed that the social status of mothers has a direct bearing on the mental health of their children as well (p.23). Thus, it transpires that in the present day, women from the lower social strata have a higher probability of having mental health issues. Conclusion: All the articles considered in the annotated bibliography uniformly illustrates that the social status of women in Scotland has a direct bearing on the mental health problems such as depression they suffer. This justifies the validity of a study into the topic of the relation between social class of women in Scotland and their mental health problems. All the studies unanimously concur on the fact that mental health problems are more persistent in females than in males and the major cause for their occurrence as well as impediment in intervention is the lower social status of women’s low self esteem that derives from their low status. Several studies, therefore, emphasise the need to address the problem of depression of women in Scotland through social prescribing than other medical methods of intervention. The mental health problems in women also affect the mental health of their children and can have serious negative repercussions on the families. Therefore, this public health issue raises more significant questions than merely in the context of women’s health. In this backdrop, further exploration of the role of social status of women in Scotland in causing mental depression is not only justified but essential to completely understand its implications on this public health issue. References Developing Social Prescribing and Community Referrals for Mental Health in Scotland. Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health, 2007. Retrieved May 8, 2013, from Edge, D. 2010. Perinatal Mental Health of Black and Minority Ethnic Women: A Review of Current Position in England, Scotland and Wales. National Mental Health Development Unit. Retrieved May 8, 2013, from Marryat, L and Martin, C. 2010. Growing Up in Scotland: Maternal Mental Health and Its Impact on Child Behaviour and Development. Edinburg: The Scottish Government, 2010. Retrieved May 8, 2013, from Myers, F., McCollam, A., and Woodhouse, A. 2005. National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Well-Being: Addressing Mental Health Inequalities in Scotland – Equal Minds. Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health. Retrieved May 8, 2013, from Taulbut, M., Parkinson J., Catto, S., and Gordon, D. Scotland’s Mental Health and Its Context: Adults 2009. Glasgow: NHS Health Scotland, 2009. Retrieved May 8, 2013, from < http://www.scotpho.org.uk/downloads/scotphoreports/scotpho090227_mhadults2009_rep.pdf> Read More