SOCIOLOGICAL REVIEW OF THE NEXUS BETWEEN DEVIANT BEHAVIOUR AND MENTAL HEALTH

Abstract

It is incontrovertible that deviant behaviour in any human society reflects the presence of social norms. This paper sociologically unravelled the nexus between deviant behaviour and mental health, coupled with a close review of existing literature; the paper begins by unfolding the conceptual clarifications of deviant behaviour and mental health and subsequently opened a discourse on the nexus between deviant behaviour and mental health. The paper concluded through a careful review of existing literature that deviant behaviour has a significant connection with mental health, especially when considered from human sociocultural perspectives. Applying the labelling theory, the conclusion was also made that cultural norms and values impact the determinant of who is a deviant and how such an act of deviance can be labelled mental illness. Recommendations were made that deviant behaviour and mental health should be well managed through the environmental stability.