Sociological Theories Relating to Mental Disabilities in Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations

Abstract

Research has demonstrated that mental disorders are one of the leading causes of disability in the United States. The level of mental health need is particularly high for members of racial and ethnic minority groups who, despite similar to higher mental disorder and disability prevalence rates, use fewer mental health services in comparison to whites and tend to receive poorer quality care when they do use services. Though the existence of mental health disparities is well established, solid explanations for their causes are less so. This literature review examines major theories in the discipline of sociology with the aim of elucidating reasons for the preponderance of differential mental health impacts across racial lines. Specifically, it discusses the theories of social causation or fundamental causes, social stress theory, social capital theory, political economy of health, and ecosocial theory. The relevance of each of these general sociological theories to the specific topics of mental health, disorder, and disability is emphasized, and a special lens is turned toward the differential disability exposures and impacts of minority individuals within their social systems.