| Popis: |
This dissertation extends Fundamental Cause Theory (FCT) to the study of holistic mental health. Using multiple quantitative methods and data from wave three of the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study, I explore if socio-economic status (SES) can be considered a "fundamental cause" of holistic mental health. To do so, I advance four hypotheses that address each step necessary to demonstrate a fundamental cause. Results show promising evidence that FCT can be extended to predict mental illness and positive mental health outcomes and that SES can be considered a fundamental cause of holistic mental health. High SES is associated with greater holistic mental health outcomes, and there are also significant mediation effects between SES and holistic mental health through exposure to risk and protective factors. Additionally, there is mixed evidence that mediation is an emergent mechanism between high SES and greater holistic mental health and that the deployment of health resources improves holistic mental health. This represents an advancement of sociological mental health theory, serves as an exemplary study of how sociologists can investigate positive mental health inequalities, and has critical policy implications for how to best improve community mental health. |
