A salutogenic approach to wellbeing: The SMU resilience framework

• Main Authors: STRAUGHAN, Paulin Tay, SIM, Alvin
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2023
• Subjects: mental health; wellbeing; resilience; salutogenesis; self-management; student success; Higher Education; Mental and Social Health; Student Counseling and Personnel Services
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/3836; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/soss_research/article/5094/viewcontent/Forced_Transition_Impact_of_COVID_19_on_the_College_Student_Experience__1_.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

Research has shown the inextricable relationship between resilience and wellbeing – resilience not only reduces mental ill-being; it actually enhances positive mental health. Resilience has been shown to be positively correlated with positive indicators of mental health, such as life satisfaction, subjective well-being, and positive emotions. As such, resilience can be conceptualised as both a protective and preventive factor that is associated with healthy development and psychosocial stress resistance. Departing from the dominant pathogenesis approach, the Singapore Management University (SMU) has adopted salutogenesis in its whole-of-university approach to health and wellbeing promotion. Through the operationalisation of the SMU Resilience Framework, the University actively develops the skill of resilience in students, which serves to reduce the risk factors and enhance the protective factors. By doing so, the University is not only improving the likelihood of student success, but also helping students find their footing to thrive and succeed, engendering pathways to a life of flourishing.