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The use and misuse of some positively valenced community concepts

Authors :
E L, Cowen
Source :
Community mental health journal. 37(1)
Publication Year :
2001

Abstract

Considers the usage of four somewhat amorphous, but positively valenced, community mental health terms: primary prevention in mental health (and closely related notions such as wellness enhancement and positive psychology); resilience; charter schools; and empowerment. Use of these concepts often reflects a need to align with currently popular, "in"-terminology, rather than an intrinsic connection between what is being written about and a tight definition of the concept in question. Usages built primarily around a concept's positive valence and glitter tend to: (a) break down communication; (b) confuse rather than clarify; and (c) ultimately retard a field's growth and progress.

Details

ISSN :
00103853
Volume :
37
Issue :
1
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Community mental health journal
Accession number :
edsair.pmid..........75a2c7f9ff9c06a3a8d37a039048e5f7