Topology and mental distress: Self-care in the life spaces of home. (January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tucker, Ian; Smith, Lesley-Ann
• Other Names: Campbell Catherine guest-editor.; Cornish Flora guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of health psychology. Volume 19:Number 1(2014:Jan.)
• Page Start: 176
• Page End: 183
• Publication Date: 2014-01
• Subjects: community health psychology -- context -- distress -- methodology -- psychological theory; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; 613.019
• DOI: 10.1177/1359105313500260
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-1053

Abstract

This article develops a topological approach derived from Kurt Lewin to analyse the psychological life space/s produced in a mental health service user's home. Drawing on arguments that space plays an important part in the organisation and management of mental distress, photographs of a service user's home are analysed as topological spaces. The article argues that topological theory can contribute to community health psychology through framing psychological distress as spatially distributed, meaning individual bodies, environments and action are conceptualised as equally contributing to the organisation and management of health-related experience and activity.