Feminist conceptualizations of women’s madness: a review of the literature
- 1 October 2001
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Wiley in Journal of Advanced Nursing
- Vol. 36 (1), 143-150
- https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2648.2001.01951.x
Abstract
Feminist conceptualizations of women’s madness: a review of the literature Background. Gender is one aspect of an individual’s identity that has been widely debated and discussed in relation to many different aspects of social life. The literature review explores how gender stereotypes affect women and their experience of mental illness. The aim is to demonstrate how a feminist perspective provides a useful lens through which women’s experience of mental illness can be viewed. Methods. The papers were identified by a computerized search of the CINAHL, Medline, BIDS ISI and Mental Health Nursing Collection databases and a hand search. All papers were screened and subjected to critical review. Results. A theoretical framework was developed that reflected two key themes to emerge from the feminist literature on women and mental illness, namely psychiatry as a method of socially controlling women and the medicalization of women’s unhappiness. In addition the complexities and contradictions in the feminist arguments are highlighted. Conclusion. The paper concludes by considering the implications of the issues raised for nursing practice by drawing attention to the current debates on the need to focus on gender relations rather than just on women’s issues.Keywords
This publication has 10 references indexed in Scilit:
- Women's Mental Health Issues Reflections on Past Attitudes and Present PracticesJournal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 1996
- Measuring Mental DisorderPublished by Bloomsbury Academic ,1996
- Reading research critically. I. An introduction to appraisal: designs and objectivesJournal of Clinical Nursing, 1994
- The Female Malady? Men, Women and Madness in Nineteenth Century BritainSociology, 1994
- Gender Roles, Suicide Attempts, and Substance AbuseThe Journal of Psychology, 1991
- HIERARCHIES, JOBS, BODIES:Gender & Society, 1990
- Inequality and women's mental health: an overviewAmerican Journal of Psychiatry, 1981
- Medicine as an Institution of Social ControlSociological Review, 1972
- The Relationship between Sex Roles, Marital Status, and Mental IllnessSocial Forces, 1972
- The myth of mental illness.American Psychologist, 1960