Theoretical Issues in the Further Development of the Sense of Coherence Construct

In this chapter, the author discusses theoretical issues, including the dimensionality of the sense of coherence (SOC) scale, questioning whether the three components of comprehensibility, manageability and meaningfulness can be measured separately or not; a plea for longitudinal data to study SOC as the causal variable; whether SOC can be strengthened and thus function as an outcome variable or not; the concept of domain-specific SOC; the concept of a boundary in the measurement of SOC; the dichotomization and trichotomization of SOC to investigate more thoroughly if a weak SOC or a strong SOC is crucial for health and well-being; the importance of relating SOC to salutogenic outcome measures such as perceived wellness or a healthy lifestyle; and additional issues such as the collective SOC, measuring other central constructs in the salutogenic model and the importance of literature reviews and meta-studies. Excellent recommendations are given for ways forward.

The Sense of Coherence: The Concept and Its Relationship to Health

In this chapter, the theoretical framework of the salutogenic model of health is described, with special focus on the key concepts and reflection on the ontological and epistemological background of the health model, which so far is little explored and described. Essential in the salutogenic model of health is the understanding of health as a process in a continuum, the health ease/dis-ease continuum. This is described and explained in the chapter. Some evidence of the relationship between sense of coherence (SOC) and health is presented.

Salutogenesis and Migration

In this chapter, the authors give a brief overview of research on salutogenesis and migration, including both forced and voluntary migration. Salutogenesis has been used to frame labour migration and how people respond and adapt to new cultural contexts.The focus is mainly on forced migration, i.e. the case of refugees. The authors consider research framed by the Salutogenic Model of Health and research with refugees that uses the broader ‘salutogenic’ approach. They conclude by discussing how salutogenesis adds insight – but may also induce distraction – in the study of refugee migration.

Salutogenesis as a Theory, as an Orientation and as the Sense of Coherence

In this chapter, the authors convey some of the main ways the term ‘salutogenesis’ is used today. Antonovsky introduced the term salutogenesis in his 1979 and 1987 books on the Salutogenic Model of Health, but salutogenesis subsequently has come to refer to a core concept in the model in particular; the sense of coherence. This usage has advanced to the point that some writers have coined the term ‘sense of coherence theory’. The term salutogenesis is also frequently used to refer, more generally, to an approach to health theory, research and practice emphasising resources that people may call on to improve health.

Generalized Resistance Resources in the Salutogenic Model of Health

This chapter presents and discusses theoretical considerations and empirical findings regarding the concepts generalized resistance resources (GRRs) and generalized resistance deficits (GRDs). Recent research findings are presented, showing how these resources or deficits impact sense of coherence (SOC). Suggestions for future research directions (e.g., individuals’ differential susceptibility to environmental effects and eudaimonia/hedonia perspectives) and interventional implications are presented.

Salutogenesis in Health Promoting Settings: A Synthesis Across Organizations, Communities, and Environments

Settings are defined by the World Health Organization (1998) as “the place or social context in which people engage in daily activities in which environmental, organizational, and personal factors interact to affect health and well-being.” Such settings range from small-scale home/family to (international) organizations and large cities and thus differ in size, in their degree of formalized organization and their relationships to society.The chapters in Part V review how salutogenesis has been applied to health promotion research and practice in a broad range of settings: organizations in general, schools, higher education, workplace, military settings, neighborhood/communities, cities, and restorative environments. The following synthesis demonstrates that applying salutogenesis to various settings and linking salutogenesis with other models established in these settings has the great potential to generate ideas on how to advance the general salutogenic model.

Salutogenesis From Its Origins to the Present

Part I provides an overview of the development of the field of salutogenesis, as background for the remaining chapters in The Handbook of Salutogenesis. Chapter 2 by Bengt Lindström reviews mileposts in the development of the field from the late 1990s until today. Chapter 3 by Maurice Mittelmark and Georg Bauer is a revision and expansion of a chapter in the 2017 Edition, meant to convey some of the main ways the term ‘salutogenesis’ is used today. Chapter 4 is of particular importance in this Handbook. Written by Aaron Antonovsky’s son Avishai Antonovsky, and by one of his closest colleagues and former PhD student, Shifra Sagy; this revised chapter from the 2017 Edition provides the first biography of the founding father of salutogenesis. Chapter 5, also from the 2017 Edition, is a summary of Antonovsky’s development of the Salutogenic Model of Health. The editors are convinced it is among the best synopses available. Chapter 6 by Georg Bauer provides the reader with a description of Salutogenesis meeting places. The reader wanting to connect more directly to a global salutogenesis network will find this chapter to be of great practical value. Finally, Chap. 7 by Lenneke Vaandrager of The Netherlands and colleagues from Spain, Germany, Italy, Norway, the United Kingdom and Poland trace the development of higher education in salutogenesis in Europe, spanning 30 years.

Specific Resistance Resources in the Salutogenic Model of Health

This chapter discusses conceptual and concrete differences between generalized and specific resistance resources in the salutogenic model of health. It is important to distinguish between the two types of resistance resources to ensure that health promotion pays attention to both types. Specific resistance resources have as much or more relevance to health promotion practice as do generalized resistance resources. By drawing attention to the nature of specific resistance resources, one also draws attention to what should be the main aim of health promotion.

Salutogenesis for Thriving Societies

This chapter is this handbook’s ‘grand finale’, addressing the potential of salutogenesis to nurture thriving societies. The handbook’s editors reflect on the advancement of salutogenesis concerning theory development, applying the salutogenic model in community settings and helping society tackle crises such as COVID-19.

Key Concepts in the Salutogenic Model of Health

Part II starts with a description of the theoretical framework of the salutogenic model of health, with special focus on the key concepts and reflection on the ontological and epistemological background of the health model, which so far is little explored and described (Chap. 10.1007/978-3-030-79515-3_9). In Chap. 10.1007/978-3-030-79515-3_10, the focus is on how the sense of coherence (SOC) influences stressor appraisal, positively as well as negatively. In Chap. 10.1007/978-3-030-79515-3_11, measurement issues are addressed concerning Aaron Antonovsky’s original SOC questionnaires of 29 items and of 13 items, as well as several modified translations applicable at the individual, the family, the organization, and the community levels. Chapter 10.1007/978-3-030-79515-3_12 presents and discusses theoretical considerations and empirical findings regarding the concepts: generalized resistance resources (GRRs) and generalized resistance deficits (GRDs). Part II closes with a discussion of the conceptual and concrete differences between generalized and specific resistance resources in the salutogenic model of health (Chap. 10.1007/978-3-030-79515-3_13).