Neighborhood-resources for the development of a strong SOC and the importance of understanding why and how resources work: a grounded theory approach

Ruca Maass,Monica Lillefjell,Bengt Lindström

doi:10.1186/s12889-017-4705-x

Ruca Maass, Monica Lillefjell + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4705-x

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Abstract

BackgroundProviding individuals with psychosocial resources such as sense of coherence (SOC) seems a beneficial strategy for health promotion in the neighborhood. In order to become a supporting theory for health promotion, Salutogenesis should renew its focus on resources for health, and explore how the development of a strong SOC can be facilitated.MethodsRelevant issues were explored using a Grounded Theory- approach. Three focus-group-sessions and three in-depth interviews were conducted with strategically sampled participants. The transcripts of the focus groups were initially analyzed line-by-line to ensure that insights emerged from the data. We then applied focused and systemic analyses to achieve axial coding, and to include insights into how social interactions during focus groups may reveal social processes in real-life-neighborhoods. The data from the in-depth interviews were used to validate and fill emerging categories, as well as to ensure data-saturation.ResultsFindings indicate the importance of repeated experiences with resources and every-day-challenges to develop a strong SOC. Active engagement with resources is a favorable condition for significant experiences, which enhance the internalization of resources. Core experiences are characterized by a re-organization of resources. Participation in intellectual meaning-making through equal power dialogue seems to broaden perspectives and promote the strengthening of SOC. A strong SOC can also be described as a deeper understanding of how and why resources work, which allows for a more flexible use of resources, including replacing missing resources.ConclusionA new understanding of SOC as an intuitive understanding of how, why and under which circumstances resources work, as well as a new focus on everyday life and repeated experiences might facilitate new approaches to a purposeful strengthening of SOC through the planning and implementation of public measures.

Highlights

Providing individuals with psychosocial resources such as sense of coherence (SOC) seems a beneficial strategy for health promotion in the neighborhood
Neighborhoods, health-relevant resources and Sense of coherence (SOC) Participants identified health-relevant resources found at different levels of experience
Our findings offer an alternative explanation indicating that intellectual meaning-making may in itself be a more active process than anticipated, and can be spoiled by strict rules and clear, un-negotiable messages

Summary

Introduction

Providing individuals with psychosocial resources such as sense of coherence (SOC) seems a beneficial strategy for health promotion in the neighborhood. According to the WHO’s Ottawa-charter [1] and the Shanghai-declaration on Health Promotion [2], local communities and neighborhoods are central arenas for health promotion (HP) efforts. This requires more knowledge about how public measures can contribute to making neighborhoods beneficial HP- arenas [3]. Research suggests that HP in neighborhoods should aim at equipping individuals with psychosocial, emotional and social resources, such as Sense of coherence (SOC) [18, 19]

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