Salutogenesis Beyond Health: Intergroup Relations and Conflict Studies

Shifra Sagy,Adi Mana

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-79515-3_22

Abstract

AbstractIn this chapter, the authors ask how to broaden the salutogenic paradigm’s scope into an interdisciplinary framework and include other social concepts in its research. As one example of such interdisciplinary research, the authors review some new studies in conflict areas investigating intergroup relations. By relating to such areas of research, they try to address not only the “classic” question – who copes successfully and stays healthy – but also other salutogenic questions such as “who expresses more openness to the other?”

Highlights

Antonovsky’s salutogenic model and its core concept “sense of coherence” (SOC) focus on the ability of individuals to cope with stressors in life and stay healthy
Since the paradigm of salutogenesis was introduced within the discipline of sociology of health, the relationships between salutogenesis and other social concepts have been mostly neglected
When we employ an interdisciplinary approach, the salutogenic question would be “Who copes successfully and stays healthy?” (Antonovsky, 1987) and, for example, “Who expresses more openness to the other?”, “Who is a social activist who pursues justice in the world”? Or “Who is a peacemaker?” If we broaden the level of our questions, we can ask about salutogenic schools, neighborhoods, or other social institutions, which enhance health and wellness and justice, peace, and reconciliation

Summary

Introduction

Antonovsky’s salutogenic model and its core concept “sense of coherence” (SOC) focus on the ability of individuals to cope with stressors in life and stay healthy. The relationship between SOC and health has received much attention and quite consistent results in research Since the paradigm of salutogenesis was introduced within the discipline of sociology of health, the relationships between salutogenesis and other social concepts have been mostly neglected. Until recently, the salutogenic model has almost never been broadened into an interdisciplinary framework. At this stage of its development and its wide distribution in the scientific world, the salutogenic paradigm should broaden its scope. In proposing broadening the application of salutogenesis to interdisciplinary research, we may consider disciplines like social psychology, economics, geography, anthropology, or conflict studies. This chapter aims to raise new questions about applying the salutogenic paradigm to research in interdisciplinary fields and to review new studies that have already begun to do so.

Dilemmas in Broadening Salutogenesis into an Interdisciplinary Framework

Toward Exploring Salutogenic Questions in an Interdisciplinary Framework

Sense of Community Coherence

Sense of National Coherence