The cases illustrated above have used salutogenesis in all its nuances. The components of Sense of Coherence have been used to frame design of content, learning methods and assessment. Some cases were framed in the salutogenic orientation, in other cases the content taught covered the concepts in the salutogenic model of health. One case used Antonovsky’s River of Life metaphor to focus on life experiences that shape the components of Sense of Coherence. Together thesecases illustrate how flexible salutogenesis is, both across contexts and when considering which approach to use in teaching. One important aspect of how to teach salutogenesis that has not yet been addressed is the embodied example of the teacher as the role model of ‘how to be’ salutogenic: this is the focus of the final paper.

Background: Substance use disorder (SUD) is a growing public health concern in Sweden. Various treatments for SUD exist, with motivational treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy, and relapse prevention being the nationally recommended approaches. Attachment theory and the salutogenic theory with its core concept, sense of coherence (SOC) provides valuable insights into individuals’ available personal resources and their potential for adherence to treatment. The aims of the present study were to examine attachment styles (secure, insecure-avoidant, and insecure-anxious) and SOC (overall and dimensional - comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness- scores) in individuals with SUD; to explore potential correlations between these constructs ; and to assess their predictive value for treatment completion. Methods: Clinical data were collected between 2014 and 2023 from 164 clients at a Swedish outpatient clinic for addiction who initiated the intensive, integrated treatment program. The sample comprised 109 men and 55 women, aged 18 to 72 years (M = 40.71). Data were gathered using validated self-report instruments (the Attachment Style Questionnaire and the Sense of Coherence Questionnaire). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and logistic regression. Results: Individuals with SUD predominantly exhibited an insecure-avoidant attachment style. The four dimensions reflecting insecure attachment (discomfort with relationships, relationships as secondary, need for approval, and preoccupation with relationships) were negatively correlated with overall SOC and its three components. In contrast the secure attachment dimension (confidence in self and others) showed positive association with SOC. The strongest associations were found between the manageability component of SOC and all attachment dimensions. The insecure-anxious attachment style showed the strongest association with early dropout from treatment, while higher manageability was significantly associated with an increased likelihood of treatment completion. Conclusion: The predominance of an insecure-avoidant attachment style among clients undergoing intensive, integrated treatment for SUD underscores the importance of reinforcing a secure attachment and strengthening SOC to facilitate treatment completion. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive, integrated social and psychiatric care for individuals with SUD.

Background: The Sámi and Greenlandic Inuit, the indigenous peoples of the Nordic region, face a range of challenges that threaten their cultural survival, political autonomy, economic prosperity, and well-being. Rooted in nature-based livelihoods, their identities and well-being are deeply tied to tradition. Global shifts and policy changes challenge their way of life, making it vital to support their rights, languages, and role in shaping relevant policy decisions that affect their lives.

Aim: This study analyzes policy documents concerning the Sámi and Greenlandic Inuit people to examine their representation from an empowerment perspective.

Methods: Using Fairclough's discourse analysis, the study investigates how empowerment is framed in national strategies and identifies gaps in Indigenous representation and participation. Researchers reflect on their positionality, drawing from reflexive and reconciliation-based methodologies to engage respectfully with Indigenous knowledge systems.

Results: The study reveals ongoing challenges in health access, social equity, and cultural preservation, emphasizing the importance of bottom-up approaches and cross-border collaboration to support Indigenous self-determination and influence in policymaking. The Greenlandic policy document separates itself from previous arctic policies by focusing on Inuit identity, with Denmark as a future collaboration partner. Its main focus is on autonomy in relation to globalization. Finland recognizes Sámi rights in principle but struggles with implementation and political will. Sweden frames Sámi issues within broader equality goals, yet lacks mechanisms for real influence or land rights. Norway leads in legal recognition, including the Finnmark Act, yet challenges remain in balancing state and Sámi interests.

Conclusions: Across all countries, empowerment discourse often centers on inclusion, but real power-sharing and Indigenous epistemologies are inconsistently reflected in policies.

Key messages

• Indigenous empowerment in Nordic policies often emphasizes inclusion but lacks consistent power-sharing and respect for Indigenous worldviews.

• National approaches vary: Norway leads legally, while Finland, Sweden, and Denmark face gaps in Indigenous representation and influence.

Rapporten Föreningslivet som hälsofrämjande arena? har sin utgångspunkt i ett samverkansprojekt mellan Högskolan Väst och Thordénstiftelsen, inom vilket en studie av föreningslivets möjligheter att främja hälsa hos barn och ungdomar genomförts. Det empiriska materialet kommer från intervjuer med representanter från föreningslivet som har någon form av ledar- eller styrelseuppdrag.

Purpose:

Although the effects of yoga on psychiatric symptoms in psychiatric care are gaining increasing recognition, research within forensic psychiatric care, particularly on sub-jective experiences, remains limited. To address this gap, the present study aims to describe patients’ experience of trauma-adapted yoga (TAY) as a health-promoting activity in forensic psychiatric care.

Methods:

Twelve individual semi-structured interviews with patients in forensic psychiatric care were conducted, and data were analysed using inductive content analysis.

Findings:

The patients’ experience of TAY as a health-promoting activity was captured in an overarching theme, “To feel that one is connected to mind, body, and soul in a way that can promote a sense of well-being in an uncertain existence”. This overarching theme contained four themes: Strengthening the body, finding a calm place within oneself, something to do solely for oneself but together with others, and prerequisites for doing yoga.

Conclusion:

The findings emphasize that TAY has the potential to be a valuable health-promoting activity for patients in forensic psychiatric care by facilitating their resources to manage stressors in everyday life. Therefore, it should be offered as a complement to other reatments to promote patients’ health and well-being in forensic psychiatric care.

AIM: The aim of this study was to explore young people's experiences of resources and strategies for promoting their mental health.

METHODS: Individual interviews with 33 people aged 16-25 years were conducted using a method inspired by cognitive interviewing, which combines think aloud techniques with probing questions. The interviews were based on the young people's reflections of the questions in the Swedish national public health survey. Data were analysed with reflexive thematic analysis.

RESULTS: The resources and strategies that the young people in this study described as important for promoting mental well-being are related to societal prerequisites needed to navigate life; to their immediate surroundings, including social interactions; and to the young people themselves. These resources and strategies are presented under the following three themes: prerequisites for navigating life, social interactions on one's own terms, and who I am and what I can do.

CONCLUSIONS: Young people have a variety of resources and strategies of their own available for promoting mental well-being. However, they cannot promote mental health just on their own; access to social networks and the opportunity to share thoughts and feelings are central. Further, to promote mental health, young people need good social conditions, knowledge, and support from adults so that the existence they struggle to navigate feels comprehensible, manageable and meaningful.

Background: Increasing mental health problems among young people are frequently reported. There is also a growing discussion about whether this increase reflects actual mental health problems, or if young people have more limited abilities to deal with normal challenges in life. From a social justice perspective, young people’s own thoughts and experiences need to be considered when mental health promotion among young people is addressed. 

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe young people’s experiences of promoting aspects for mental well-being.

Methods: Individual interviews were conducted with 33 youths aged 16 to 25 years. The interviews were based on the mental well-being items used in the national public health survey ‘Health at equal terms’, annually conducted by The Public Health Agency of Sweden. Qualitative content analysis was used to capture the youth´s experiences.

Findings: Preliminary findings describe promoting aspects for mental well-being as; feeling involved in social contexts, having support from loved ones, receiving help from others, feeling significant as a person, being listened to, having an inner strength, feeling that one’s life is meaningful, and reasonable expectations from oneself and those around.

Conclusion: Findings show that both internal and external aspects are important for promoting mental well-being among young people. Some aspects are beyond their control, which indicates that society needs to create prerequisites for young people to develop mental well-being.

Som generation beskrivs dagens unga värdera sociala relationer högre och prioritera välbefinnande och lycka jämfört med tidigare generationer (1). De anses vara öppnare och mer toleranta men också mindre optimistiska då de i stor utsträckning har upplevt negativa världshändelser (2,3). Att ha en positiv syn på framtiden är en viktig aspekt av välbefinnande, men vad innebär positiv syn på framtiden för dagens unga och vad behöver de för att kunna ha en positiv syn på framtiden?

Metod

I detta projekt presenteras delar av resultaten från en större studie med syfte att undersöka ungas uppfattningar om psykiska besvär och psykiskt välbefinnande. Individuella intervjuer genomfördes med 33 personer mellan 16 och 25 år och analyserades med kvalitativ innehållsanalys (4,5).

Resultat

Framtid tolkades av de unga som alltifrån det stundande sommarlovet till det som händer om flera år. De relaterade positiv syn på framtiden till en variation av erfarenheter så som: att känna tilltro; inneboende optimism och livslust; att ha mål att sträva mot; och saker utanför den egna makten. Möjligheten att forma framtiden själv och inte styras för mycket av andras förväntningar och krav upplevdes viktigt för att kunna ha en positiv syn på framtiden.