The capability approach as a bridging framework across health promotion settings: Theoretical and empirical considerations

Frahsa A, Abel T, Gelius P, Rütten A, Abu-Omar K, Banzer W, Brandl-Bredenbeck HP, Faller H, Hassel H, Kohl M, Leitzmann M, Loss J, Pfeifer K, Rütten A, Sygusch R, Tittlbach S, Ungerer-Röhrich U, Vogt L (2021)

Publication Type: Journal article, Review article

Publication year: 2021

Journal

Health promotion international Oxford University Press

Book Volume: 36

Pages Range: 493-504

Journal Issue: 2

DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daaa076

Abstract

Health promotion research has increasingly called for transdisciplinary approaches. Such calls ask for bridging frameworks that define comprehensive sets of health determinants and appropriately conceptualize the roles of population groups as well as other relevant actor groups in the co-production of health. This article aims to present the seminal capability approach by Sen and Nussbaum as a potentially suitable framework for such bridging endeavors to guide health promotion research. It highlights domains of the capability approach that appear to be particularly relevant to bridging diverse disciplines and settings. Such domains particularly refer to the agency of decisive actor groups (population groups, professionals, policymakers and researchers) as well as to the differentiation of personal, social and environmental conversion factors that disciplines define within their specific epistemologies and ontologies. The article uses empirical examples from a German research consortium that aimed to promote physical activity in five different settings while fostering cooperation and conceptual alignment between several academic disciplines and sub-disciplines to highlight benefits and challenges of using the capability approach as a bridging framework for transdisciplinary health promotion. We conclude that the capability approach might serve as bridging framework to guide future transdisciplinary research if partners involved continuously exchange to develop a shared understanding of the issues to be researched.

Authors with CRIS profile

Peter Gelius Lehrstuhl für Sportwissenschaft mit der Ausrichtung Gesundheitsförderung/Public Health/Sozialwissenschaften des Sports Alfred Rütten Department Sportwissenschaft und Sport

Involved external institutions

Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen

Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Frahsa, A., Abel, T., Gelius, P., Rütten, A., Abu-Omar, K., Banzer, W.,... Vogt, L. (2021). The capability approach as a bridging framework across health promotion settings: Theoretical and empirical considerations. Health promotion international, 36(2), 493-504. https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daaa076

MLA:

Frahsa, Annika, et al. "The capability approach as a bridging framework across health promotion settings: Theoretical and empirical considerations." Health promotion international 36.2 (2021): 493-504.

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