Between social and somatic disorders: the promotion of health as part of general social work practice

The population of the highly industrialized countries have access to an increasing range of possibilities for influencing their own state of health in both positive and negative ways. Health maintenance behavior is part of a general 'way of life' which is determined by chosen life styles. While the clients of professional social work may have a more restricted range of options, the interdependence of their individual life situations and health disposition remains a factor in their case as well, usually with negative results. There is a constant mediation of social disorders in somatic disorders (and vice versa, especially in cases of chronic illness, disability and addiction). This paper discusses aspects of assessment, coping styles and social support along the socio-psycho-somatic axis. There are many arguments for a conscious integration of health promotion into social work practice in general.