For more information you might want to check Halpert Dunn's work. He is credited
for developing the concept and was the first to introduce an idea of actualizing
to one's potential as an aspect of health. Travis & Ryan's model of wellness
also well known. They wrote a "Wellness Workbook" published by Ten Speed Press
in Berkeley. I think it's still around; I have the 1988 2nd edition. They
identify 12 "strands" including transcendence and interconnectedness as well as
some that are more traditionally associated with ideas of health--a long way
away from "absence of disease" though and much more congruent with ideas of
empowerment. Some nursing literature is also a good resource. Armentrout
(Holistic Nursing Practice,volume 7 issue 4,pages 57-62 (1993) has a good
article that compares the medical model and wellness model. She identifies 12
differences including the holistic focus of the wellness model, its focus on
strengths rather than problems, and the promotion of self-responsibility. Hope
that helps.

Adeline R. Falk-Rafael, RN, PhD
Associate Professor, Nursing
Atkinson Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies
York University, 4700 Keele St., Toronto, ON M3J 1P3
Phone 416 -736-2100 x 33440, Fax 416-736-5714











Becky Sisk <[log in to unmask]>@YorkU.CA> on 02/15/2001 09:18:13 PM

Please respond to Health Promotion on the Internet <[log in to unmask]>






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 Subject: Re: wellness definition wanted








The trouble with wellness being the opposite of sickness is that people with
chronic illness may have that experience of wellbeing, etc., because they
have made peace with the chronic illness or are handling it.  Just a
thought...I otherwise agree with Sharyn's description of "wellness."

>
> Wellness is the opposite of sickness. It is a positive concept of health
> that relates to the experience of wellbeing, feeling right, happy, secure.
> A state of wellness is achieved whenm a person is growing to their
potential
> in harmony with their enviroment.
> Cheers
> Sharyn Young
> Content Developer
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>