Optimization of Behavior: Promotion of Wellness

Poor, Rural and Female: Under-Studied, Under-Counseled, More At-Risk

“…The focus of the WHO model is on economics, and the need for public policy reform and community-based care of persons with mental illness and co-morbid dual or multiple diagnoses is emphasized. However, when viewed from a developmental, wellness-oriented (Myers, Sweeney, & Witmer, 2001), or positive psychology perspective (Diener & Seligman, 2002), it is necessary to broaden the assessment and influence of poverty to incorporate more psychosocial factors and a holistic perspective. In effect, a different model explaining the interaction of factors related to poverty is needed as a basis for designing mental health counseling interventions.…”

“…From a developmental, wellness perspective, pathology can be re-conceptualized as resulting from developmental challenges (Ivey, Ivey, Myers, & Sweeney, 2004;Myers et al, 2000) and can be examined from a continuum of mental health rather than mental illness issues (Palmo et al, 2001). Viewed from a wellness paradigm rather than an illness paradigm, while the objective circumstances of poverty lifestyles do not change, the potential for prevention of serious, negative mental health consequences through early interventions and strengths-based assessments and counseling (Myers et al, 2001) emerges as a clear possibility. Hence, in the new Cycle of Poverty and compromised Wellness, the consequences of poverty are conceptualized in terms of low self-esteem (Reutter et al, 2001), lack of empowerment or low sense of control (FWCW, 2001), lack of career goals (Wilson & Peterson, 1993), chronic stress (Adler et al, 2000;Sears et al, 1999), victimization (Boyd, 2003, lack of support for positive change (Fitzpatrick & Gomez, 1997), and negative coping behaviors such as depression (Craft, Johnson, & Ortega, 1998) and substance abuse (Cellucci & Vik, 2001).…”

A Different Approach: Applying a Wellness Paradigm to Adolescent Female Delinquents and Offenders

“…explained wellness as a state of being in which optimal health is achieved, including positive physical and psychological functioning (Cruse & Nicholas, 1992;Myers et al, 2000Myers et al, , 2001Ryff, 1989). This optimal health encompasses proactive behavior that leads to an individual achieving his or her maximum potential by integrating the mind, body, and spirit (Myers et al, 2001). Several models of wellness have been developed such as those by Heiller (1984) and Dunn (1961) in disciplines such as medicine, public heath, and psychology.…”

“…One holistic approach that incorporates attention to gender is the Wheel of Wellness model (Myers et al, 2001;Sweeney & Witmer, 1991). The model is based in Adlerian theory and attends to various influential factors such as gender differences, life-span development, and the effect of external forces upon health and well-being (Myers et al).…”

“…Using a holistic, developmental perspective, the Wheel of Wellness (Myers et al,, 2001;Sweeney & Witmer, 1991) offers a strengths-based paradigm for treating female offenders. The Wheel offers a preventive approach towards delinquent behavior and concomitant mental illness through identification of areas of strength as well as deficient wellness as a basis for implementing treatment that emphasizes developmental and gender-sensitive factors.…”