Critical realism: a philosophical framework for the study of gender and mental health.

Full Abstract

This paper explores gender and mental health with particular reference to the emerging philosophical field of critical realism. This philosophy suggests a shared ontology and epistemology for the natural and social sciences. Until recently, most of the debate surrounding gender and mental health has been guided either implicitly or explicitly within a positivist or constructivist philosophy. With this in mind, key areas of critical realism are explored in relation to gender and mental health, and contrasted with the positions of positivism and constructivism. It is argued that critical realism offers an alternative philosophical framework for the exploration of gender issues within mental health care.

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Author information

Author/s: Bergin, Michael (M); Wells, John S G (JS); Owen, Sara (S);

Affiliation: Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford, Ireland. mbergin(-atsign-)wit.ie

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Nursing philosophy : an international journal for healthcare professionals (Nurs Philos), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Jul; vol 9 (issue 3) : pp 169-79

Dates: Created 2008/06/27; Completed 2008/08/07;

PMID: 18582293, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Causality
Female
Humans
Knowledge
Male

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