The application of salutogenesis in vocational rehabilitation settings

Abstract

Vocational rehabilitation is a process of increasing awareness, enabling people to manage tension, to reflect about, identify, and mobilize internal as well as external resistant resources, and to promote effective coping by finding solutions. The relevance of a salutogenic orientation in vocational rehabilitation and in designing rehabilitation interventions, is shown in several studies. A salutogenic orientation may enhance professionals’ ability to appreciate clients’ coping strategies and resources in order to facilitate return to work. The main foundation of the concept of sense of coherence is to create coherence between structures and systems, which is considered as a significant challenge in the process of return to work. A salutogenic orientation in outpatient early rehabilitation, where the rehabilitation program and the development of working circumstances progress side by side, give however promising results. To improve return to work rates, this indicates a need for a greater part of the rehabilitation process to take place in the workplace/context to which the person is supposed to return after the rehabilitation period.