The Determinants of Mental Health: A Qualitative Analysis of Health Policy Documents

Abstract

This paper reports on an exploratory analysis of the determinants of mental health in health policy documents from Finland, Sweden, Denmark, The Netherlands, England and Portugal during 1985—2004. Similarities and differences in mental and somatic health were examined, using qualitative content analysis. The results of the analysis are compared with some frequently applied health determinant conceptualisations and with the conclusions of previous research. The paper concludes by pointing out that the determinants of mental and somatic health are constructed differently, which seems to affect the design of health promotion policy.

Keywords:

• determinant
• mental health
• policy