Perspectives on salutogenesis of scholars writing in Finnish

Abstract

Salutogenesis has been used as a conceptual framework for different fields of science in Finnish literature since the 1980s. The concept of life control was related to the sense of coherence, including the dimensions of life satisfaction, manageability, comprehensibility and meaningfulness. Based on our literature search, we found 12 dissertations, 9 chapters in textbooks and 6 research papers in Finnish. In the literature, salutogenesis has been used merely as one conceptual basis along with other theoretical foundations and the concepts of health-related quality of life, coping, social support, self-esteem and resources. The themes that emerged in the dissertations focused on certain diseases and coping processes as well as resources, hope and strengthening factors among young people, the sense of coherence and health and also connections between these and mental health. Current understanding of salutogenesis creates opportunities for applying the theory as an approach, a conceptual basis, multidisciplinary collaboration, a measurement tool and also combining qualitative and quantitative methods. One challenge for the future would be to make salutogenesis theory visible in all of its levels and applications.