Research
Flourishing in the Face of Parkinson's
The question of well-being as it relates to PD
To date most studies into Parkinson’s disease (PD) have focused on the underlying causes, as well as management and treatment of the disease. However, as a chronic neurodegenerative condition, there is an equally important need to understand how people living with Parkinson’s can continue living positive, healthy lives.
A focus on salutogenesis including the factors that underly health and well-being may provide an answer. In this study, we examine whether people living with PD can live positively, and even ‘flourish’ in the face of Parkinson’s.
At Ease with the Disease
Salutogenesis among people living with diagnosed PD
Salutogenesis focuses on the underlying assets and resources for positive health and health-promoting processes. It is understood to be a broad approach that includes multiple theories and concepts about health & well-being at the individual and collective levels. The concept of salutogenesis remains relatively underexplored among those living with chronic conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.
To date much of the research into Parkinson’s has adopted a biomedical approach, focused on understanding the underlying pathogenesis, risk factors and clinical management of the disease. There is a need to focus on this research area particularly as the incidence of chronic neurological diseases like Parkinson’s disease increase.