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. 2023 Jun;47(3):146-149.
doi: 10.1192/bjb.2022.17.

Breaking out of the citadel: social theory and psychiatry

Rob Poole  1 , Catherine A Robinson  2
Affiliations

Breaking out of the citadel: social theory and psychiatry

Rob Poole et al. BJPsych Bull. 2023 Jun.

Abstract

British psychiatry has tended to hold itself aloof from social theory. Nonetheless, these ideas have influenced the development of mental health services. Alongside this, the biopsychosocial model cannot reconcile contradictions in the scientific evidence regarding mental illness. We need to develop a more constructive understanding of the implications of social theory.

Keywords: Philosophy; history of psychiatry; qualitative research methods; social determinants of mental health; social theory.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

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