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Introduction to the issue of how lingual development relates to the development of some psychological disorders
Updated Dec 6, 2009 by mtcox...@gmail.com

Introduction

There is a growing pandemic in the world today that encompasses a vast population group. According to researchers, issues associated with mental health have been increasing dramatically over the past twenty-five years, regardless of sex, social class, or family types.

Details

Possible Resources in Fighting the Increase of Mental Health Disorders Resulting From a Lack of Language and Communication Development

There is a growing pandemic in the world today that encompasses a vast population group. According to researchers, issues associated with mental health have been increasing dramatically over the past twenty-five years, regardless of sex, social class, or family types. (S. Collishaw, 2004) Not only is there a dramatic rise, but evidence is also pointing to an even more dramatic increase in urban areas, which are the fastest growing populations in the world. (J. Peen, 2004). This paper will address the importance of this issue, as well as some possible reasons for the dramatic increases that have been observed over the past decades. In addressing these possible catalysts, possible solutions for improving this problem will also be presented. Current research on the issue of this dramatic increase in mental health problems shows that a possible tool to a dramatic change in this pattern can be found in language and communication. To understand how language and communication can possibly have a dramatic effect on fixing mental health issues, it is important to first understand how closely related communication is to this issue of mental health disorders. To do that this paper will look at two ways in which they are related, with the first way being how societies communication about mental health is having an extremely negative effect on the problem, and second how lack of language development as a child can lead to psychological issues in an individual’s future. With this issue of psychological disabilities, the problem not only results in major personal issues for the individual with the disorder, but could have consequences that stretch past the inflicted individual. As a result of this growth of mental disorders, an increase in social conduct disorders associated with psychological problems has been observed. Not only is the number of conduct problems increasing with respect to these issues but studies show that the risk involved with these conduct issues are increasing as well. (S. Collishaw, 2004)

In addressing the first issue of how society’s outlook on mental health is having a negative effect, it is important to understand sources for the common perception of mental health. While there are many contributing factors to a common societal perception, such as traditional beliefs on the issue, there is plenty of knowledge that provides an ideal mindset with regards to mental health. With that, there are other factors propagating common misconceptions of mental health, preventing a new perspective despite what has been discovered by modern science. An article published in the Journal of Humanistic Counseling, Education & Development, presents evidence that society today has a very negative outlook on mental health and gives one possible source for a lot of this view as it states, “The media, through its immense influence and frequent, often inaccurate, portrayals of mental illness, helps engender negative, incorrect perceptions about counselors and their clients.” The article provides facts to support this evidence. The author shows that there has been abundant research that has documented the frequency of the media's depiction of mental illness. A Washington, DC media study showed that more than 1 in every 11 television shows included a mentally ill character and almost one third of all prime-time shows involved some mental illness themes… Furthermore, most of the programs linked mental illness themes with violence or evil. In a 1989 study, out of all major dramatic adult characters on prime-time television, 41.6% were violent but 72.1% of those characterized as mentally ill hurt or killed others. In addition, 8.7% of major dramatic adult characters were killers, but 21.6% of those characterized as mentally ill were killers. (March, 1999)

To further the case that the media’s extremely negative and incorrect portrayal of mental disorders, March (1999) presents more evidence to support her claim. In addition to documenting the frequency and accuracy of media depictions of mental illness, research has documented the power of the mass media in the ideas that people form of mental illness. Lopez (1991) examined 89 Florida teens and their attitude toward people with mental illness. Over 54% of the ranked the mass media (i.e., books, magazines, newspapers, television) as the first or second most important source of their opinions and attitudes about mental illness. As March (1999) further states, this is a very serious problem as other studies point to the extreme influence media can have on people in forming and changing their perceptions on issues. Gerbner, Gross, Morgan, and Signorielli (1980) demonstrated the relationship between large amounts of television (more than 4 hours a day) and answering questions in ways that are congruent with the distorted images on television.

It has been suggested that common inaccurate portrayal of mental illness affects attitudes regarding those with mental illnesses (Wahl, 1992). This is shown in another study on the effects of the media by Thornton and Wahl (1996). In the study, students read a newspaper article reporting a violent crime committed by a mental patient. Compared with those who had not read the article, students who had read the article were less accepting of the integration of people with mental illness into the community. Students who read the article were also more likely to endorse statements indicating fear of and perceived danger from people with mental illness. This problem of negative attitudes toward mental illness creates an enormous obstacle in the solution to the problem of increases in psychological disorders. Again, addressing this topic, March (1999) states, “Distorted media images engender a stigma that may prevent individuals and their families from seeking care. Thus, those with mental illness have additional barriers to reaching optimum health.” She proceeds to cite the study by Corey, Corey, and Callanan (1998) listing the key reasons people do not make use of counseling resources: (a) they are not aware of services, (b) they have financial limitations, (c) they have misconceptions about the counseling process, (d) they are reluctant to face problems, (e) they think that they should not need help to make changes in their life, and (f) they think that counseling is not intended for them. Mass media depictions can certainly help explain these reasons, particularly by creating misconceptions about illnesses, treatment, and outcomes, or as March says, “Engendering fear and stigma related to mental illness; and causing widely dichotomous perceptions about who is normal and who is not.”

While this information is vital in understanding an approach to dealing with this rise in psychological disorders, it doesn’t address a cause for this dramatic increase, or even a significant commonality that many cases share, and that could provide an avenue of treatment. To do this, the second issue presented of the incredible amount of influence lingual development has on future mental states needs to be addressed. This is a difficult aspect to look at as there have been many factors that have been shown to negatively affect one’s mental development, resulting in impaired psychological functions. Even though this is a difficult issue to tackle, new research is showing one possible path that is showing promise for dramatic improvement in possibly up to two-thirds of child psychological disorders and the conduct disorders associated with them (J. Gilmour, 2004). In the article “Social Communication Deficits in Conduct Disorder: A Clinical and Community Survey,” the authors present evidence to support the theory that a lack of pragmatic language development in children may be a root source for many psychological and psychosocial disorders later in life. As stated in the article, increasing numbers of children are referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services because of disruptive behavior. Recent reviews on the origins of conduct problems indicate that the most severe and persistent forms are found predominantly among males with a range of neurodevelopment vulnerabilities, which are likely to have biological backgrounds. On the basis of parent and teacher ratings, two-thirds of those with conduct disorders had pragmatic language impairments and other behavioral features similar in nature and degree to those of children with autism, independent of IQ. To expand further on their results, the authors surveyed 54 children who had been excluded from elementary schools in a socio-economically disadvantaged inner-London borough and found over two-thirds to have comparable deficits. (J. Gilmour, 2004)

These results support the evidence that this is an issue spanning a wide range of individuals, regardless of IQ, socioeconomic standing, and race. While the authors recognize the need for replication of results, it provides a fantastic course of research to pursue. But to fully understand the correlation between the pragmatic language impairment, and possible solutions for solving it, the development of children’s cognitive abilities needs to be addressed. Current research is providing a lot of insight into the connection, as well as making fairly straight forward the reason that a lack of proper development of communication skills can lead to problems as severe as social and mental impairment.

A lot of evidence to support this is presented by Thompson (2006), in the article Conversation and Developing Understanding. Thompson cites Carpendale and Lewis (2004) in their argument that constructing understanding in the mind during early childhood requires experiences of cooperative social interaction and exposure to talk about mental states. Additionally they argue that the child's personal inferences about the psychological world play a pivotal role. This emerging view is consistent with others that have focused attention on the role of language—and the social experiences accompanying language—in young children's developing mind. (Astington & Baird, 2005; Harris, de Rosnay, & Pons, 2005).

An addition to this perspective suggests developing understanding is not just a matter of young children acquiring knowledge from an adult mentor but rather a shared construction of understanding from joint activity in which both the parent and child contribute (Rogoff, 1990). In this view, understanding is established from interactive activity between a child and another person rather than simply acquired from another person. It can be seen from these two perspectives how much of an influence language and communication has on the development and eventual health of people. First, many of the obstacles for treatment of mental disorders are a result of the false ideas and perceptions that are so often communicated to individuals. Second, the connection between the development of a child’s mind and how much conversation and language have an impact was clearly evident. For example, many of the things that are considered human characteristics, such as conscience, have been shown to be directly influenced by language. With this evidence, it can be seen how a language based approach to treating mental disorders could possibly be a highly effective form of treatment. (Thompson, 2006) First of all, an improvement in the language and communication with regards to societal perspectives on mental disorders could have dramatic results. With a combination of counseling and medication, most psychological disorders are easily manageable, with the patients being able to live fully functional and normal lives (Rob Waller, 2005). If society were able to undergo a shift in perspective, and view the health of the mind as just as important as the health of the physical body, many problems that occur from untreated mental disorders could be avoided. As presented by previous evidence, a shift needs to happen in the way that people with mental disorders are presented in the mainstream media. While this may seem like a monumental task, it is one that not many people would argue with. Most people that have children, especially if they have planned on doing so, want what is best for their child. Also this is a matter that will have a dramatic influence on many societies throughout the world. Just like with other major changes, it often only takes a spark to get the idea rolling. For example, the current “green movement” began with a small group of people with an ambition for a change. The movement really began to take hold as a few important political figures pushed the agenda. With a lot of effort and passion, along with new convincing evidence, we have watched a dramatic shift in the world’s perspective over the last few decades in terms of caring for the environment. This is an issue that would have a similar emotional appeal as it would be a movement out of concern for the future generations. In summarizing a solution for this issue of an ignorant perspective of mental disorders, what is needed is for a person or persons of influence to bring about awareness and to begin to push for a shift in perspective on mental disorders, while keeping the focus on the importance of protecting the future generations and their minds.

With respect to the issue of pragmatic language disabilities being a source of psychological disorders, many options could be pursued to help improve the situation. First, the previously mentioned solution to perspective on mental disabilities would be the most influential solution possible. By achieving a shift in perspective, people will see language impairment as a serious problem that has major implications for the future, but that also has practical solutions. From the evidence presented, it is clear that a solution to language development is needed. One possible solution I see as having a tremendous impact would be a shift in how we teach our children at young ages. For instance, while traditional topics of scholastic subjects are important to learn, it is something that the child can learn at any age. When it comes to the development of the brain however, there is a small window of opportunity in which proper social and conversational education can have a dramatic effect. Instead of focusing so much on the traditional school subjects, I feel a much larger emphasis needs to be placed on social and lingual development, not just in reading and writing, but actual communication. Another solution that could have a dramatic impact on the problem is raising awareness of the ideal way to help your child develop to their full potential. Often, many parents do not like to be told how to raise their child because they feel that they know what is right. While there will always be people who don’t agree with the evidence presented, as is the case with all shifts in perspective, if solid evidence of possible outcomes for different styles of child rearing are presented in an easy-to-understand way, many will see the benefits of the change and be more accepting, rather than dismiss it as a new fad. As stated before, the best solution would be one that was modeled after previous public education programs, such as raising awareness of the dangers of drunk driving in the 1970’s to the newer green revolution. Being able to institute this on a level of public awareness could provide the dramatic changes needed in how parents view the ways a child should be influenced throughout growth and development to provide them with the best opportunity to achieve a strong and stable state of mind. Again, comparing the situation to the green movement we can see possible ways this could happen. As the concern for the environment has grown, more products and services are being created at dramatic rates to sustain the public’s desire to “go green.” Likewise, many new products and services could be developed and implemented to better understanding of the issue as well as providing tools to help fix it. As with all things of this nature, there will be false memes presented about the topic in an attempt to capitalize on the public’s concerns. For the problem to be fixed however, it must be realized that things of this nature will happen and the benefit of the good things must be weighed against the few harmful side effects of implementing a dramatic societal shift in thinking. The task of fixing this issue of language impairment and psychosocial disorders is a monumental task but one that requires immediate attention.

To conclude with, a quick summary of the ideas presented will be given and proposals for applying the solutions presented will be given. In summary, we can see the issue being addressed is the increase and prevalence of psychological and psychosocial disorders. Evidence was then presented to show how language and communication play a dramatic role in this issue. Finally, we saw how a change in the current application of language and communication, as well as how it is taught could possibly has a dramatic influence in changing this situation for the positive.

As for a proposal for ideas to address the presented solutions, I feel that in this situation where language and communication is so fundamental, a solution should include a great deal of communication and openness. To help address this issue, I will be creating an online, open source project dealing with the topics at hand. My ideas for this include creating multiple areas for resources. I would like to create a database that is easily accessible and contains the most relevant and legitimate research into the topics at hand. Being open source, it will have the opportunity to have the influence and regulation of many people. This would be a database of information that people could access in regards to topics such as mental health awareness, ways and techniques for improving mental states and cognitive function, and ways to take care of your mind in the same way you would take care of the rest of your body. It could also include research and techniques that address the ways children are exposed to communication as they grow. It could be an easy to access guide for parents who would like to learn the best possible ways that we currently know of to raise their child in order to ensure the best opportunity for cognitive development. As this would be a lot of important information, it would need a lot of care to ensure that false information is not presented. It would be my goal that a group, such as a university or university department, would adopt the project from its early stages and provide that oversight. Along with this information, I would like to include open conversation threads where people could seek help or discuss topics that are important to them. Open source is a powerful tool in that many can have access to very important and relevant information. With the success of sites like Wikipedia, it is clear that technology and communications is moving in this direction. It would be a relevant tool in combating a rapidly growing problem

Works Cited

• J. Gilmour, B. H. (2004). Social Communication Deficits in Conduct Disorder: A clinical and Community Survey. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry , 45 (5), 967-978.

• J. Peen, J. D. (2004). Is Urbanicity an Environmental Risk-Factor for Psychiatric Disorders? The Lancet , 363, 2012-2013.

• March, P. A. (1999). Ethical Responses to Media Depictions of Mental Illness: An Advocacy Approach. Journal of Humanistic Counseling, Education & Development , 38 (2), 70-79.

• Rob Waller, T. M. (2005). Student mental health: how can psychiatrists better support the work of university medical centers and university counselling services? British Journal of GUidance and Counselling , 117-128.

• S. Collishaw, B. M. (2004). Time Trends in Asolescent Mental Health. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychairty , 45 (8), 1350-1362.

• Thompson, R. A. (2006). Conversation and Developing Understanding. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly , 52 (1).

• Lopez, L. R. (1991). Adolescents' attitudes toward mental illness and perceived sources of their attitudes: An examination of pilot data. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 5, 271-280.

• Gerbner, G., Gross, L., Morgan, M., & Signorielli, N. (1980). The "mainstreaming" of America: Violence profile No. 11. Journal of Communication, 30, 10-29.

• Wahl, O. F. (1992). Mass media images of mental illness: A review of the literature. Journal of Community Psychology, 20, 343-352.

• Thornton, J. A., & Wahl, O. (1996). Impact of a newspaper article on attitudes toward mental illness. Journal of Community Psychology, 24, 17-25.

• Corey, G., Corey, M. S., & Callanan, P. (1998). Issues and ethics in the helping professions (5th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

• Astington, J. W., & Baird, J. A. (Eds.). (2005). Why language matters for theory of mind. New York: Oxford University Press.

• Carpendale, J. I. M., & Lewis, C. (2004). Constructing an understanding of mind: The development of children's social understanding within social interaction. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 27, 79-96

• Harris, P L., de Rosnay, M., & Pons, F. (2005). Language and children's understanding of mental states. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 14, 69-73

• Thompson, R. A., Laible, D. J., & Ontai, L. L. (2003). Early understanding of emotion, morality, and the self: Developing a working model. In R. V. Kail (Ed.), Advances in child development and behavior; Vol. 31, pp. 137-171

• Kochanska, G., Aksan, N., & Nichols, K. (2003). Maternal power assertion in discipline and moral discourse contexts: Commonalities, differences, and implications for children's moral conduct and cognition. Developmental Psychology, 39, 949-963

• Laible, D. J., & Thompson, R. A. (2000). Mother-child discourse, attachment security, shared positive affect, and early conscience development. Child Development, 71, 1424-144

• Rogoff, B. (1990). Apprenticeship in thinking. New York: Oxford University Press.

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