Kari Bjerke Batt-Rawden

Nature-culture-health activities as a method of rehabilitation: an evaluation of participants' health, quality of life and function.

The dramatic increase in sickness absence and disability pensions in recent years are negative side-effects of our welfare society. Among others, people certified as long-term sick are offered participation in a programme of health-promoting activities (salutogenesis) in Asker, Norway. The aim of this study was to evaluate health, quality of life and function among participants included in a programme of community-based nature-culture-health activities. A qualitative evaluation study in 2003 included 30 men and 16 women aged 30–79 years old participating in 12 different health-promoting activities at the Nature–Culture–Health (NaCuHeal) Centre. The group activities were hiking, physical activities, gardening, music, singing, painting, dancing, dialogue groups for men or women, ethics, painting and local history. Around two-thirds of the participants reported to have improved their health status, quality of life and function, particularly when given the opportunity to utilize their own abilities and creativity. Belonging to a themed group seems to play a significant role in increasing self-efficacy and self-esteem. The majority of participants reported improved health, quality of life and functionality when considering returning to work due to their experiences in the NaCuHeal groups. Increasing the populations participation in health-promoting outdoor and cultural activities seem to be a useful method for enhance complete rehabilitation.

The Role of Music in a Salutogenic Approach to Health

This article introduces the reader to the role of music in a salutogenic approach to health, focusing on lay musical practice in public health policy and mental health promotion. Several participants reported how they used music as an alternative to medication or medical treatment, often transcending pain and suffering through personal, musical practices. The participants described how musicking can enhance coping mechanisms, providing a sense of coherence and zest for life, for example how using music may activate individuals in difficult periods in their lives, and retrieve or mobilise a stronger self. Individuals have learned how listening, playing and singing for self or others can be used as a ‘technology’ to achieve a sense of wholeness in body and mind, often described as ‘musicking’. According to mood, context, need or situation, it is the combination of musical practices, properties and activities that tends to produce a personal or social healing effect.

How music may promote healthy behaviour.

Introduction: Using music to promote healthy behaviour may enhance coping mechanisms in spite of illness. Aims: 1) To explore the role and significance of music and musicking in the life of men and women with long-term illnesses in or through different life phases, situations, events, issues and contexts. 2) To increase knowledge on how participants, through exposure to and exchange of new musical materials and practices, may learn to use music as a ‘‘technology of self ’’ in relation to health promotion and rehabilitation. Methods: This exploratory study sought to instigate narratives about music’s role in supporting health through a pragmatic synthesis of elements of action-research, ethnography and grounded theory. Music CDs were conceived as an interactive and dialectical tool. This longitudinal study involved eight in-depth ethnographic interviews per participant, involving nine men and 13 women, aged between 35 and 65 with long-term illnesses. Results: Music is a motivational device for moving our bodies, releasing anger or aggression and even transcending pain. Personal preferences in music seemed to be important for these participants while exercising, substantiated in the importance of well-being and pleasure in everyday activities and situations. Conclusions: This study has contributed to an increase in self-awareness and consciousness, well-being and health for the majority of the participants in the study. It has brought to the level of consciousness forms of ‘‘expert’’ practice that may otherwise have occurred tacitly. Implementation of future health promotion and rehabilitation programmes ought to strengthen their focus on musical, cultural and physical activity both at an individual level and within local communities.

Social Factors of Sickness Absences and the Significance of the Nature-culture Interplay in Coping

Conflict of interest: none declared. Aims The aim of this study was to focus on and to discuss how social factors influence sickness absence. There were two aims of this study: a) To explore and reveal the absentees experiences and perceptions of sickness absence in daily life b) To explore and reveal the absentees own perceptions and experiences of coping while being on sickness absence. Methods. Qualitative method through a pragmatic synthesis of elements of ethnography and grounded theory were used. The sample from the county of Oppland, Norway (n=30) had a mental or a musculoskeletal diagnosis in accordance with the ICPC-2 medical classification system. Results. The interplay between working conditions and private life burdens has an impact on the development of illness and sickness absence, reinforcing the perception of a total life burden situation for women; including caring responsibilities. Men experience stress and conflicts at work, mostly from the leadership and its organizational structure. The majority of the sample used different techniques and strategies to cope with their illnesses, highlighting the significance of the nature-culture interplay. Conclusion. A holistic approach that considers the whole life situation must also be considered in order to understand gender differences in sickness absence. The importance of being involved in daily activities, and feelings of belonging to a social network were important for both men and women. This research may also add important awareness and understanding of Nature-Culture-Health (NaCuHeal) benefits in public health.