The Encyclopedia of mental health /

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Bibliographic Details
Imprint:San Diego, Calif. : Academic Press, c1998.
Description:3 v. : ill. ; 29 cm.
Language:English
Subject:Mental health -- Dictionaries.
Psychology -- Dictionaries.
Mental illness -- Dictionaries.
Mental Health -- encyclopedias.
Mental Disorders -- encyclopedias.
Psychology -- encyclopedias.
Mental health.
Mental illness.
Psychology.
Reference works.
Dictionaries.
Format: Print Book
URL for this record:http://pi.lib.uchicago.edu/1001/cat/bib/2775809
Hidden Bibliographic Details
Other authors / contributors:Friedman, Howard S.
ISBN:0122266757 (set)
0122266765 (v. 1)
0122266773 (v. 2)
0122266781 (v. 3)
Notes:Includes bibliographical references and index.
Review by Choice Review

Friedman's attractive reference work recommends promoting mental health rather than concentrating only on pathology. "Rooted in the present and look[ing] to the future," it presents past, present, and future theories about factors influencing mental health but emphasizes the modern view that varying forces intersect to influence mental health. The validity or invalidity of classifying mental health according to the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM) system is considered. In addition to discussing disorders usually covered in encyclopedias of psychopathology, the book includes such current areas of public interest and concern as commuting and mental health, television viewing, procrastination, and shyness. In contrast to The Encyclopedia of Mental Health, ed. by Ada P. Kahn and Jan Fawcett (CH, Mar'94), which provided brief explanations of terms, topics in Friedman's work are given detailed treatment. The articles are excellent resources; each contains an outline, glossary, cross-references, and bibliography. There is an extensive index and a list of contributors (distinguished scholars and practitioners, many are founders of their fields). Recommended for college students or anyone interested in reading about current theories dealing with mental health. M. Schultz Immaculata College

Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Booklist Review

The concept of mental health has changed a great deal. Current research demonstrates the intricate relationship of the mind and the body. Biochemical imbalances play significant roles in schizophrenia and various mood disorders. Ordinary activities such as commuting and using a computer affect behavior. This scholarly encyclopedia examines mental health using an interdisciplinary approach, taking into account "new knowledge about the genetic, biological, social, societal, and cultural nature of human beings." The encyclopedia editors and contributors are academics who are acknowledged experts in their fields. Their names and affiliations appear at the beginning of each article. Most of the material here is new, but some entries are reprinted from The Encyclopedia of Human Behavior (Academic, 1994), which is noted at the end of the articles. The three volumes contain alphabetically arranged articles that are 10 to 20 pages long. Each article begins with an outline and a glossary defining terms as they are used specifically within the text. All articles have bibliographies, primarily citing scholarly and professional publications. Each volume contains the table of contents for the entire set and instructions for using the encyclopedia. There is a detailed index in volume 3. Using the index ensures finding all relevant material on a given subject area since the articles cover broad areas. Cross-references also direct users to related material. The articles cover a wide range of subjects. As one would expect, there are entries for various disorders and therapies: Alzheimer's disease, behavior therapy, mood disorders, to name a few. Other entries examine traits such as charisma and shyness or discuss problems associated with substances like alcohol and caffeine. Numerous articles focus on the mental health aspects of stressful situations--bereavement, chronic illness, commuting. Neurology is treated in articles such as brain scanning/neuroscanning. In his preface, the editor states that particular attention has also been paid to "the family and developmental context for mental health and impairment," evident in articles like family therapy, child sexual abuse, and divorce. This is a fine encyclopedia with a great deal of excellent information on subjects of interest to both professional and educated lay readers. Academic, health science, and large public libraries will find it very useful.

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Choice Review


Review by Booklist Review