Review the Socio-Ecological Model for mental health. Discuss how you would apply each level of influence in your understanding of how it explains the way a child in the Juvenile Justice system could develop his/her behaviors that led to incarceration. Be sure to describe each level and provide an example of characteristics at each level that can negatively influence child's outcomes. For example, at the community level you could talk about the impact that exposure to gang violence could have on a child's well-being. Be sure to address the following levels:
1. The Individual Level
2. Relationships (Family Level and Peer Level)
3. The Community Level
4. The Policy/Societal Level
SocietyPolicyCommunitiesOrganizationsRelationshipsIndividual
Based on the Ecology of Human Development originally created by Dr. Urie Bronfenbrenner
Mental Health and Well-being: A Socio-Ecological Model
To learn more visit z.umn.edu/mhecomodel
Resource allocation shapes opportunities, and impacts the ability to meet basic needs3 The economic conditions into
which a person is born and raised can shape their overall quality of life3
Poverty exposure leads to poorer mental health outcomes3,8,12
Environmental forces, such as natural and man-made disasters, can have detrimental impact and/or build resilience3
Policies influence the way that people navigate the help they need with their mental health11
Stigma and bias surrounding mental illness shape how people think about mental health and mental illness7,11
Oppression, racism, discrimination, marginalization, and stereotyping create environments that have a daily weathering effect on mental health4,8,11
Children’s general mental health is influenced by their parent’s mental health knowledge10
Media messaging is important and can shape how people perceive and respond to health issues2
Rapid changes in technology are impacting mental health development6
Government regulations and incentives can build relationships and collaboration across agencies6
Decisions about laws, policies, regulations, resources, and money directly and indirectly impact mental health6,7
Societal conflict, such as political crises, migration, displacement, war, and civil strife, heighten risk3,8
Disadvantaged neighborhoods, discrimination and violence are linked to mental health risk factors4,8,10
Housing instability such as transience, homelessness, and substandard living conditions lead to mental health vulnerability3
People and communities have different mental health needs3,4
Social well-being is a public experience, not a private phenomenon7
Personal characteristics4,8
Biological/genetic factors8,10,14
Development is complex, dynamic, and has many different factors (no one single cause)9,14
Adaptability10,12
Access is impacted by cost, insurance, location, transportation, childcare, and time11
Leadership and life skills6
Coping skills10
Positive, high quality relationships matter6
Social roles promote identity and social connections (e.g. parent- parent), and facilitate healing2,9,11
Local partnerships and service delivery are important components of successful mental health programs1,2,,6
Social isolation is damaging to health8,10
Nurturing parent-child relationships model positive health behavior2,3
Family mental health, substance abuse, and violence influence family relationships3,,14
Community services determine ability to address mental health and illness8
Services support the mental health of people by increasing family and community connections11
People are shaped by their social environment4,9,12
Cross-sector and organization collaboration strengthen service outcomes, access, and referrals1,6,8
Multiple factors such as family, family resources, family socio-economic condition, school, neighborhood and community, and peers significantly contribute to the status of one’s mental health3
Educational opportunities (funding, education level, educators’ cultural competency, school safety) shape long-term development3,4,8
Toxic, stigmatizing, and discriminatory environments harm clients1,8
Government investment of time, money, and resources dictates mental health management6,7
Research and reporting gaps are barriers to understanding mental health14
Developmental parenting supports positive parent-child relationships8,10
Harsh parenting practices and discipline have negative repercussions10
Stress response12
Professionals can leverage their role to act as a support system to the people they serve1
Identity and purpose11
Family and peers serve as significant natural support systems6
Social connections are crucial for managing day-to-day stressors and adversity2,9,11
Good family functioning is necessary for child well-being and has important policy implications10
People are shaped by their social environment4,9.12
This socio-ecological model was created as a way to visually illustrate individual, family, organization, community, and societal factors that influence individual mental health and well-being. It reflects what we know from the research about how people’s mental health is affected both positively and negatively at all levels. Research alone will not capture experiences of mental health and well-being but offers us a foundational framework.
The World Health Organization describes health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” This well-being model describes mental health for everyone, as a whole person concept that spans the lifetime.
A positive, strengths-based approach shifts from illness to wellness (i.e. flourishing). This conceptualization of mental health includes everyone, reflects the whole person, and spans the lifecourse. The factors identified in this model are based on research that incorporates mental health, well-being, and the ecological model.
The ”socio-ecological model” was developed as a way to recognize that individuals affect and are affected by a complex range of social influences and nested environmental interactions.
The socio-ecological model of mental well-being recognizes that factors can cross between multiple levels (see dotted lines on model). They can also impact people differently, based on cumulative and intersectional experience.
This framework remains a work in progress.
To learn more, watch the video “Mental Health: Yours, Mine and Ours” at z.umn.edu/CYFCEMV.
The 6 levels of influence:
• Individual: everything people are born with and how they influence and are influenced by the world around them
Examples: age, personality, skills, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, education/knowledge, economic status, geographic location
• Relationships: formal and informal social supports Examples: family, friends, neighbors, teachers, co-workers, service providers
• Organizations: the relationship between public, private, and non-profit organizations
Examples: schools, workplaces, agencies, businesses, healthcare, childcare, faith groups
• Communities: the broad social setting in which relationships occur Examples: neighborhoods, cultural groups
• Policy: laws and policies that regulate and support health behaviors Examples: workplace, local, state, federal, international
• Society: broad societal factors Examples: culture, beliefs, values, norms, customs, practices
For a full list of references, visit z.umn.edu/mhecomodel.
Partnerships University of Minnesota (UMN), Center for Leadership Education in Maternal and Child Public Health UMN Extension Children, Youth, and Family Consortium (CYFC) UMN, Office of Human Resources Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Child and Family Health Division *This document was based heavily on Extension CYFC’s “Circles of Influence in Family Development: Educational Disparities” ecological model. We appreciate their permission and support adapting it to mental health and well-being. z.umn.edu/CYFCEM Updated January 2021
