I'm doctoral researcher and I wish to understand factors influencing mental wellbeing of a community from a salutogenic perspetcive. But I'm not sure whether the salutogenic theory or is only suited to health-promoting/ protective factors.
Salutogenesis describes an approach focusing on factors that support human health and wellbeing, rather than on factors that cause disease. More specifically, the salutogenic approach is concerned with the relationship between health, stress, and coping (Antonovsky, 1979).
In comparison with concepts like coping or resilience (where the conditions and mechanisms are more rigid and contextual) salutogenesis has its strength in adaptability and universal use and as a life orientation always focusing on problem solving.
If a person believes there is no reason to persist and survive and confront challenges, if they have no sense of meaning, then they will have no motivation to comprehend and manage events. The essential argument is that salutogenesis depends on experiencing a strong sense of coherence and that this can lead to positive health outcomes.
Antonovsky, A. (1979) Health, Stress and Coping. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.
Lindström B, Eriksson M. (2010) The Hitchhiker's Guide to Salutogenesis. Salutogenic pathways to health promotion. Fokhalsan Health Promotion Research Report 2. Helsinki, Finland.
Thanks Glen, your answer has helped me clarify few things.
So, if I understand it correctly the aim of salutogenesis is to focus on factors that lead to health and wellbeing. However, the community that I want to study has many issues that are detrimental to wellbeing such as high unemployment, poverty, etc and thus not exploring these factors might be regarded as negligence on my part, I think. Perhaps, I should consider a different approach.
Correct Hafsa, and aimed mostly at the individual. I would suggest another approach aiming at strengthening community that has already been field tested and can be used to measure the outcome.
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