Meaning-making: a underestimated resource for health? A discussion of the value of meaning-making in the conservation and restoration of health and well-being

Birthe Loa Knizek; Sissel Alsaker; Julia Hagen; Gørill Haugan; Olga Lehmann; Marianne  Nilsen; Randi Reidunsdatter; Wigdis Sæther

doi:10.6092/issn.1825-8670/11986

Authors

Birthe Loa Knizek Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Birthe Loa Knizek, PhD, is a professor at the Department of Mental Health, NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology. She is a specialist in clinical psychology (children- and adolescents). She works in the suicide research area as well as in global mental health mainly with Ghana and Uganda by means of qualitative methods.
Sissel Alsaker Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Sissel Alsaker, PhD, OT, is a professor in health sciences at the Department of Mental Health, NTNU- Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. She is an occupational therapist, and her research focus has been exploring the narrative nature of everyday activities from the perspectives of persons living with chronic conditions. She has developed the narrative-in-action approach.
Julia Hagen Regional center on violence, traumatic stress and suicide prevention, St. Olavs Hospital

Julia Hagen, PhD, RN, Advisor at the Regional center on violence, traumatic stress and suicide prevention, St. Olavs Hospital, Norway and Associate professor at IPH-NTNU. She has a background in mental health nursing and suicide research.
Gørill Haugan Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Gørill Haugan, PhD, RN, is a professor in health and nursing science at NTNU Norwegian University of Technology and Science, and a professor II in nursing at Nord University. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, she has published more than 100 scientific publications.
Olga Lehmann Institutt for psykologisk rådgivning

Olga Lehmann, PhD, is a psychologist and researcher at IPR -Institutt for Psykologisk Rådgivning (Norway). She also leads the Health and Compassionate programs at Pracademy. She is a poetess, teacher, psychologist, and researcher interested in feelings and emotions, silence–phenomena, communication, poetic instants qualitative methods. Among her core publications is Poetry and Imagined Worlds (Palgrave McMillan).
Marianne Nilsen Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Marianne Nilsen is an associate professor at the department of social work, NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Nilsen has a PhD in Health Science. Her main research areas and interests are within stress and coping, meaning-making, school psychology and special education, and psychology of religion.
Randi Reidunsdatter Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Randi J Reidunsdatter, PhD, Radiotherapist, is an associate professor at (the department of circulation and medical imaging), faculty of medicine and health science, NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Reidunsdatter has a PhD in health science and a clinical background within oncology. Her main research areas are within cancer survivorship issues, ranging from late effects from treatment to subjective health, quality of life and meaning-making processes, explored by both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
Wigdis Sæther Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Wigdis Helen Sæther, RN, is a docent at the Department of Mental Health, NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology. She is a psychiatric nurse and anthropologist, working on master education in mental health work, focusing on research and development work in the intersection of art, culture and health.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6092/issn.1825-8670/11986

Keywords:

meaning, meaning-making, health, spiritual practices, everyday activities

Abstract

This article discusses the function, development and maintenance of meaning and the importance of meaning-making from different perspectives, as it is based on a collaboration between professionals from health science and psychology. The aim is to discuss how meaning-making processes can be employed in the health context to enhance individuals’ well-being. Starting point is a description of the common basis of the understanding of meaning-making. Afterwards brief examples from the different professional areas will show how meaning-making can improve health care practice. We will focus on the processual nature of meaning-making, its existential layers, as well as the ways in which meaning-making is at play in everyday activities and limit situations, such as illness or suicidality.

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Meaning-making: a underestimated resource for health? A discussion of the value of meaning-making in the conservation and restoration of health and well-being

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