Ms Vivian Jarrett

BPsych (Honours)

PhD Candidate, School of Psychology

Contact details for Ms Vivian Jarrett v.jarrett@griffith.edu.au

Research topic title

Mental Illness: Social Role or Medical Disease?

Description

Stigma and discrimination against those with mental illness has been a topic of interest for several decades. Exactly "how" stigma affects individuals is still largely unknown and an area of interest for those who design psychosocial treatments for vulnerable groups in society. Mental illness symptoms are known to be greater in social groups that are disadvantaged. The degree to which mental illness symptoms are determined by such social factors such as overt discrimination and prejudice is an area of great interest. The studies proposed will examine the impact and development of social roles on mental health and provide theoretical frameworks by which to understand how changes across the lifespan and social factors may contribute to vulnerability and symptoms of mental illness.

Supervisors

Associate Professor Keithia Wilson / Dr Michael Free