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Paradigm Shift: Why a Focus on Health Is Important
Author(s) -
Ickovics Jeannette R.,
Park Crystal L.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of social issues
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.618
H-Index - 122
eISSN - 1540-4560
pISSN - 0022-4537
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-4560.1998.tb01216.x
Subject(s) - thriving , vulnerability (computing) , paradigm shift , stressor , psychology , intervention (counseling) , focus (optics) , engineering ethics , sociology , public relations , political science , epistemology , psychotherapist , psychiatry , computer science , engineering , computer security , philosophy , physics , optics
Traditionally, medicine and the social and behavioral sciences have studied health by focusing on pathology. The purpose of this issue of the Journal is to go beyond such a vulnerability model and focus on thriving. We suggest that thriving represents something more than a return to equilibrium following a challenge. This issue describes a “value‐added” model, whereby an individual or community may go beyond survival and recovery from a stressor or illness to thrive. We suggest that this change of focus from illness to health represents a paradigm shift. This article gives an overview of the various ideas featured in this issue, which elaborate empirical and theoretical work on the concept of thriving. Ultimately, we believe that the scientific study of thriving can enhance our understanding of health and provide important opportunities for prevention and intervention.