We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.
To save content items to your account,
please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies.
If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account.
Find out more about saving content to .
To save content items to your Kindle, first ensure no-reply@cambridge.org
is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings
on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part
of your Kindle email address below.
Find out more about saving to your Kindle.
Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations.
‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi.
‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.
This chapter introduces two different approaches to understanding disasters. The 'hazard' paradigm, identified in chapter one as influencing the 'dominant view' regarding the application of the refugee definition in the context of disasters and climate change, is described as being characterised by a focus on hazards such as cyclones and earthquakes, with limited attention paid to the role of social factors in the unfolding of a disaster. The 'social' paradigm is then presented as providing a richer theoretical lens owing to its recognition of social factors as key elements in any disaster. The role played by discrimination in contributing to differential exposure and vulnerability to disaster-related harm is highlighted, and the relevance of this paradigm for guiding refugee status determination in the context of disasters and climate change is underscored.
Psychiatry as science is underpinned by paradigms. Considering whether a social paradigm may help to advance the current state of psychiatry, the review provides a reference to the rich, but fragmented past of related initiatives in the history of psychiatry and a personal view of themes, challenges and perspectives of using a social paradigm in psychiatry.
Methods.
Major themes are the evidence on social determinants of mental health; the value-based importance of integrating people with mental disorders in society; options to overcome the social isolation and improve the networks of psychiatric patients; utilising a systemic approach for interventions in families and communities; and understanding group and one-to-one treatments in psychiatry primarily as social interactions. Whilst all these themes open up perspectives for future action and/or research, there are also conceptual challenges through the limitations of the current construct of mental disorders and the dominating terminology.
Results.
Initiatives for using a social paradigm in psychiatry may refer to important achievements in the past, but need to go beyond this and consider on-going societal changes.
Conclusion.
Innovation may benefit from close collaboration with social sciences and humanities.
Recommend this
Email your librarian or administrator to recommend adding this to your organisation's collection.