Leonard's Pearlin's Theory of Psychological Distress

Leonard's Pearlin's Theory of Psychological Distress

By:Wala, Sheldon, and Karolina

The theory

Conclusion

• His theory is different than other scientists

• He believed that people continuously change due to situations and the stresses that come along with them to help the evolve.

• He believed that there are four elements that affect one’s life path which include:

4 elements

Individual characteristics such as gender, race, intelligence family background, personality and education

The range of skills individuals have for coping with distress

The availability of social support networks

The nature and timing of stress that requires response

Explanation of the theory

Summary

• The changes an individual goes through are restrictions developed through socialization, rather than instinctual and age linked
• Separate lives follow different paths based on the four determined elements
• Patterns can be predicted by examining a society “social clock”

• Pearlin believes that there aren't any life stages but that individuals are put into the same circumstances and stresses which allow them to change.
• Development can be unique to each individual yet occurs in a common pattern.
• Believes that individuals change over their life course due to stressors.
• Stressors are present in the larger society in which we reside in.
• Stressors cause people to have psychological distress (ex. sadness, anxiety).
• Events in our lives are also triggered through our intereaction with society.
• Distress does not cause a development change in the adult but accompanies the condition causing the change.
• When the significance of the event becomes a factor in how we must handle it – we may be come distressed.
• The culmination of these coping responses leaves a changed adult.

Leonard Pearlin

Where is the theory applied today

- Leonard Pearlin is an American sociologist, graduate professor and Senior Research Scientist in the Department of Sociology since 1995.

- Founder of the theory of psychological distress

-His research centers on the connection between peoples status location in society, the stressors to which they are exposed, and their health and well being

- He has received many honors and awards over his career, including

• The Distinguished Career Award for the Practice of Sociology from the American Sociological Association in 1998
• Award for Career Contributions to the Sociology of Mental Health, from the ASA Section on the Sociology of Mental Health in 1996.

• The theory is applied everywhere!
• It has been predominant ever since the beginning of the human race
• It has recently become a theory due to factors such as economic distress, industrialization, technology, internationalization conflict (Ukraine, Iraq, Russia, Afghanistan etc)

Pearlin