Appalachian Mental Health.

In this book, 17 psychologists, anthropologists, social workers and others explore important theoretical and applied issues concerning the mental health of Appalachian people. Rejecting the view of Appalachia as an area dominated by a culture of poverty, these papers portray a strong regional culture based on family, community, and religion. This cultural context has implications for development of mental health problems and coping skills, and for delivery of mental health services. Part I, "The Appalachian Context," contains papers on past and present Appalachian cultural systems, Appalachian family ties, and religion in southern Appalachia. Part II, "Sociocultural Systems and Mental Health Problems," contains papers on adaptive socialization values of low-income Appalachian mothers; gender, class, and self-image; the social context of "nerves" in eastern Kentucky; and social support networks of families with handicapped children. Part III contains three papers on factors affecting the use of mental health services, ways to enhance service utilization, and differences in service utilization between Appalachians and non-Appalachians. Part IV, "Cultural Considerations in Therapeutic Encounters," contains papers on cross-cultural conflict between providers and local staff members and clients, Appalachian family therapy, and hospitalized Appalachian adolescents. Part V contains two papers on "Problems and Promise in Appalachian Mental Health Service Delivery." (SV)