Creating Space for Mental Wellbeing: Identifying and Applying Salutogenic Concepts From a Body of Work Representing Two Health Interventions

There is increasing recognition that clinical approaches to health which focus on symptoms and treatment are often ineffective when applied to those experiencing mental health challenges. The Recovery Movement in psychiatry, along with a proliferation of asset-based approaches to health promotion, illustrate a growing appetite for health and other public services to recognise and tackle the social determinants of poor mental health. These interventions have their roots in salutogenesis, a philosophy of health which moves away from treating deficits and gives primacy to the strengths and resources available to individuals and their communities.
This thesis revisits the empirical findings from five studies focussed on two different community health interventions with the aim of identifying how salutogenic concepts may be operating within the interventions to promote mental wellbeing. Using a meta-ethnographic approach, I construct a line-of-argument synthesis which reveals how salutogenic concepts such as identity and connectedness; empowerment; hope and meaning, are already present within the interventions, and are promoted by the creation of healthy spaces and positive relationships. I then explore how this knowledge, along with the future collaboration of health professionals, local councils and community organisations, could be used to inform the more explicit salutogenic development of public services in order to more effectively facilitate the promotion of mental wellbeing.

Related Records:

The following journal articles were originally included in the thesis submission Appendix 1: pp 45-116. Replaced by linked citations for repository deposit due to copyright.

Frostick, C., Watts, P., Netuveli, G., Renton, A. and Moore, D. 2017. Well London: Results of a community engagement approach to improving health among adolescents from areas of deprivation in London. Journal of Community Practice. 25 (2), pp. 235-252.

https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/84vw1

Frostick, C., Phillips, G., Renton, A. and Moore, D. 2015. The Educational and Employment Aspirations of Adolescents from Areas of High Deprivation in London. Journal of Youth and Adolescence. 45 (6), pp. 1126-1140.

https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/854w8

Frostick, C., Tong, Jin, Moore, D., Renton, A. and Netuveli, G. 2018. The Impact of Academies on School Connectedness, Future Aspirations and Mental Health in Adolescents from Areas of Deprivation in London. Pastoral Care in Education. 36 (4), pp. 325-342.

https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/8464w

Bertotti, M., Frostick, C., Hutt, Patrick, Sohanpal, Ratna and Carnes, Dawn 2018. A realist evaluation of social prescribing: an exploration into the context and mechanisms underpinning a pathway linking primary care with the voluntary sector. Primary Health Care Research & Development. 19 (3), pp. 232-245.

https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/84846

Frostick, C. and Bertotti, M. 2019. The frontline of social prescribing – how do we ensure Link Workers can work safely and effectively within primary care? Chronic Illness.

https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/86z84