Sense of coherence and mental health rehabilitation

Abstract

Rehabilitation services should ensure that they have rehabilitation goals that strengthen individuals' sense of coherence. Further investigation is required into the development of rehabilitation programmes with sense of coherence theory as part of their foundation.

The Application of Salutogenesis in Mental Healthcare Settings

“…Consistent with the experience of talk therapy just described, Griffiths (2009) concluded in a literature review that it might be advantageous to include therapy goals based on the sense of coherence in mental health rehabilitation with people having various mental health challenges such as schizophrenia, psychosis, addiction, and depression. Menzies (2000) elaborated on how a psychiatric nurse might apply a salutogenic approach to a person diagnosed with schizophrenia: talking about managing and coping with symptoms and problems, fostering hope by discussing possibilities, and supporting increased consciousness of abilities and skills, thus contributing to self-esteem, identity, and sense of coherence.…”

The Application of Salutogenesis in Vocational Rehabilitation Settings

“…Several studies underline that rehabilitation services should ensure that they have rehabilitation goals that strengthen individuals' sense of coherence (Engström & Janson, 2009;Griffiths, 2009;Kaiser, Mattsson, Marklund, & Wimo, 2001;Kaiser et al, 2006;Lillefjell, 2008;Newton, 1999). Engström and Janson (2009) found that a high level of sense of coherence counteracts short as well as long-term sickness absence.…”

“…Salutogenic theory is found to help explain the process of recovery for those with mental health issues (Griffiths, 2009); there is substantial evidence that sense of coherence plays a central role in coping with stressors in the rehabilitation process, and that it contributes to mental health and psychosocial functioning. Moreover, sense of coherence is found to increase through work rehabilitation programs and re-employment (Lillefjell & Jakobsen, 2007;Vastamaki, Moser, & Paul, 2009).…”

“…Rehabilitation services adopting a salutogenic approach and seeking to enhance a client's sense of coherence can be beneficial in terms of the client's rehabilitation and recovery (Lillefjell, 2008;Griffiths, 2009). Individuals who have been on sick leave and in the process of returning to work might profit from a systematic salutogenic orientation, where the daily actions of the counsellors focus on the resources available (Falkdal et al, 2006).…”

“…There is evidence that rehabilitation is facilitated by the adoption and practical application of a salutogenic approach (Griffiths, 2009). The WHO definition of rehabilitation states:…”