Family Strengths
Family Sense of Coherence and Connectedness – a mixed method study
Family therapist Pamela Mosley BN, Master of Health Care and PhD student at the Nordic School of Public Health (NHV) was recruited to Folkhälsan Health Promotion Research in 2008. She has worked for several years with a focus on families, both in child protection social services as well as with adolescents adnd their families at the Folkhälsan outpatient clinic. Her research will be the basis of a doctoral thesis in the field of Public Health.
Aim
The overall aim of this study is to explore and gain deeper understanding of SOC and Connectedness
within the family, both as health resources and determinants shaping the adolescent SOC. Family
health is complex as both a concept and a construct as it consists of numerous significant variables
that are influenced by individual differences, family interaction and communication patterns that in
turn are influenced by both the social and cultural context of the family. There is strong evidence
that health factors are learned and experienced within the family context.
Theoretical framework
As a theoretical framework Antonovsky's salutogenic theory is used, with the focus on the Family Sense of Coherence (FSOC). Knowledge of the development of the Sense of Coherence in adolescents and its relation to FSOC is limited. The FSOC is conceivably a significant factor in determining and transforming family members’ individual SOC. It is feasible that a family member with a strong SOC may provide support and facilitate utilization of resources needed to cope successfully with stressors. This is evident especially in children and adolescents due to individual and familial developmental processes. FSOC has also been seen as a family resistance resource against the impact of stress and crisis of the family, and influences the quality of life of the family. Lately there has also been an increasing amount of research that has focused on the connection between adolescent health and connectedness. The general findings demonstrate that Connectedness serves as a protective function for adolescent health.
Study design and method
This study is of a descriptive and exploratory research design. A longitudinal mixed method study
design is adopted using a multi-case study approach. The sample is 100 adolescents and their families.
To increase the strength of this study’s design and its analytical potential, data sources consisting of
three repeated surveys with adolescents, one survey with parents as well as a number of family life
story interviews are used to gain deeper understanding of the SOC and Connectedness in both
adolescents and their families from multiple perspectives. Biographical methods are used with families
that have been selected as case studies. These methods include life story interviews, as well as the
collecting of information using genograms and eco-maps to gain a socio-ecological perspective on
possible health influencing assets available to the family. The employment of mixed methods is seen
as a practical and creative approach when integrating quantitative and qualitative data sources, and
is aimed at producing meaningful research insight.
For further information about this study please contact pamela.mosley@folkhalsan.fi