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Modified Labeling Theory Paper

563 Words3 Pages

As numerous studies have shown, being labeled mentally ill increases one’s likelihood of being convicted and incarcerated due to the negative stigmas that are associated with mental illnesses. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics [BJS] (2006), 73% of females, and 55% of males on the state prison level had some type of mental health problem. Additionally, 75% of women and 63% of men incarcerated in local jails have a mental health problem (Varney, 2014).
This study will use Modified Labeling Theory to explore the stigmas of mental illness and how the perceptions thereof can have severe negative effects on an individual’s life (Link, Cullen, Struening, Shrout, & Dohrenwend 1989). The purpose of this study is to explore the explanations and suggestions as to why those who are disadvantaged in society, such as …show more content…

Research by Anakwenze and Zuberi (2013) supports the idea that poverty leads to mental illness, and mental illness tends to increase poverty. Additionally, minorities with mental illnesses are less likely to receive treatment and more likely to be involved in criminal activities (Corrigan, Pickett, Batia, & Michaels, 2014). To address the issue of why so many people are labeled mentally ill, researchers point out that police officers are usually the ones who determine if someone has a mental health problem, a determination that they are not trained to make (Vogel, Stephens, & Siebels, 2014). Furthermore, due to the lack of health care facilities in the U.S., individuals with mental illnesses are seldom treated and when coming in contact with law enforcement, they are

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