2 Health & Illness Concepts and the Salutogenic Model

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key terms from the lecture on lay perceptions of health, the biomedical versus salutogenic models, Antonovsky’s Sense of Coherence, and related nursing implications.

Health (Lay Definition)

A multifaceted concept ranging from absence of disease to holistic well-being in physical, mental, spiritual, and social domains.

Illness (Lay Definition)

A state perceived as deviation from normal health, often identified through symptoms, functional limitations, or medical confirmation of disease.

Biomedical Model

A negative definition of health that views it as the absence of disease or injury and focuses on diagnosing and treating pathology.

Holistic Definition of Health

An approach that considers physical, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions, emphasizing overall well-being rather than just absence of illness.

WHO Definition of Health

A dynamic state of complete physical, mental, spiritual, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Functional Ability

The capacity to perform roles and daily activities; frequently used by laypeople, especially older adults, to judge health.

Pain (Health Theme)

A limiting sensation often cited—more by women—as an indicator of ill health or impaired function.

Lifestyle (Health Theme)

Behaviors such as physical activity and healthy habits that people associate with being healthy or promoting health.

Use of Healthcare Services

The frequency with which an individual consults clinicians or uses medication; low utilization is often perceived as a sign of health.

Risk Factor

A characteristic or exposure that increases the likelihood of disease; poses the question of whether someone with it is ‘unhealthy.’

Prevention

Actions aimed at avoiding disease or detecting it early, influenced by lay perceptions of health and illness.

Health Promotion

Strategies to enhance well-being by addressing behavioral, social, and environmental determinants of health.

Salutogenesis

Antonovsky’s approach focusing on factors that create and maintain health rather than on causes of disease.

Aaron Antonovsky

Medical sociologist who developed the salutogenic model after studying Holocaust survivors’ ability to thrive.

Pathogenic Paradigm

Traditional disease-oriented viewpoint emphasizing pathogens and risk reduction; critiqued by Antonovsky.

Salutary Factors

Elements that actively support or enhance health, complementing efforts to reduce risk factors.

Flow Model (Ease–Dis-ease Continuum)

Concept that everyone is somewhere between complete ease and dis-ease, continuously moving along the spectrum.

Sense of Coherence (SOC)

A global orientation expressing confidence that life is comprehensible, manageable, and meaningful—key to moving toward health.

Comprehensible (SOC Component)

The belief that events are ordered, predictable, and understandable.

Manageable (SOC Component)

The conviction that one possesses resources to meet life’s demands and challenges.

Meaningful (SOC Component)

The sense that life’s demands are worthy of engagement and investment.

Perceived Personal Competence

An adolescent’s self-evaluation of abilities such as athleticism, body image, and self-esteem; positively linked to SOC.

Perceived Social Competence

An adolescent’s perception of social acceptance and friendships; strengthened by a strong SOC.

Metabolic Balance (HbA1c)

A measure of long-term blood glucose control in diabetes; better levels correlate with stronger SOC.

Adolescents with Chronic Illness

Youth managing long-term conditions like type 1 diabetes, whose well-being can be enhanced by boosting SOC.

Coping

The process of dealing with stressors; improved when individuals or communities possess a strong SOC.

Dynamic State of Health

View of health as ever changing, influenced by internal and external factors over time.

Continuum of Health and Illness

The idea that health and sickness are not dichotomous but lie on a sliding scale where individuals constantly move.