Which of the following best completes the statement: mental health disorders are __________.

• A. always caused by genetic factors alone
• B. only diagnosed in adults
• C. patterns of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that are deviant, distressful, and dysfunctional
• D. defined solely by cultural norms without any clinical criteria

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the key characteristics used to define mental health disorders in psychology. These typically include patterns of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that are deviant (different from societal norms), distressful (causing personal suffering), and dysfunctional (interfering with daily life).
2. Step 2: Evaluate each option by comparing it to the established psychological criteria for mental health disorders. For example, consider whether genetic factors alone can explain all disorders, or if diagnosis is limited to adults.
3. Step 3: Recognize that mental health disorders are not solely caused by genetic factors; environmental and psychological factors also play significant roles.
4. Step 4: Understand that mental health disorders can be diagnosed across all age groups, not only adults.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the best completion of the statement is the option that describes mental health disorders as patterns of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that are deviant, distressful, and dysfunctional, as this aligns with clinical definitions used in psychology.