title: Inner strength--a theoretical analysis of salutogenic concepts.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Theoretical and empirical overlaps between the concepts of resilience, sense of coherence, hardiness, purpose in life, and self-transcendence have earlier been described as some kind of inner strength, but no studies have been found that focus on what attributes these concepts have in common.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to perform a theoretical analysis of the concepts of resilience, sense of coherence, hardiness, purpose in life, and self-transcendence, in order to identify their core dimensions in an attempt to get an overarching understanding of inner strength. PRINT METHOD: An analysis inspired by the procedure of meta-theory construction was performed. The main questions underlying the development of the concepts, the major paradigms and the most prominent assumptions, the critical attributes and the characteristics of the various concepts were identified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The analysis resulted in the identification of four core dimensions of inner strength and the understanding that inner strength relies on the interaction of these dimensions: connectedness, firmness, flexibility, and creativity. These dimensions were validated through comparison with the original descriptions of the concepts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An overarching understanding of inner strength is that it means both to stand steady, to be firm, with both feet on the ground and to be connected to; family, friends, society, nature and spiritual dimensions and to be able to transcend. Having inner strength is to be creative and stretchable, which is to believe in own possibilities to act and to make choices and influence life's trajectory in a perceived meaningful direction. Inner strength is to shoulder responsibility for oneself and others, to endure and deal with difficulties and adversities. This knowledge about inner strength will raise the awareness of the concept and, in turn, hopefully increase our potential to support people's inner strength.
authors: Department of Nursing, Umeå University, SE 901 87 Umeå, Sweden. Berit.Lundman@nurs.umu.se
authors: Berit
authors: B
authors: Lundman
authors: Lena
authors: L
authors: Aléx
authors: Elisabeth
authors: E
authors: Jonsén
authors: Astrid
authors: A
authors: Norberg
authors: Björn
authors: B
authors: Nygren
authors: Regina
authors: R
authors: Santamäki Fischer
authors: Gunilla
authors: G
authors: Strandberg
mesh_terms: D003405:Creativity; D010684:Philosophy; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing