SHIS and WEMS Questionnaires
Indicators of Health
Experiences of work
Health efforts or health-related research can be conducted from any of many different perspectives, depending upon whether the focus is on health or illness. The pathogenic approach, that is a focus on the causes and consequences of disease and illness, has long been dominant in the field of health. However, the need for a complementary salutogenic perspective, that is a focus on resources that support health and wellbeing independently of any pathogenic focus has been identified and emphasised in a number of contexts.
Health promotion, meaning health efforts with a salutogenic approach, is ultimately about establishing the preconditions and possibilities for individuals to take control of their health and the factors that contribute, in various ways to health. Health promotion is a broad field of activity and research that includes both lifestyle-focused health education efforts at the individual level, and public health efforts focusing on social structures from a societal perspective. Irrespective of the context, resources/tools are needed to work on the promotion of health in practice or for research.
At Kristianstad University in Sweden, an initiative to develop such instruments has resulted in the Salutogenic Health Indicator Scale (SHIS) and the Work Experience Measurement Scale (WEMS) questionnaires. The questionnaires can be used individually, in combination with each other, or in combination with other instruments, all depending upon the focus of the study.
The research team that developed the SHIS and WEMS questionnaires consisted of: Åsa Bringsén, Petra Nilsson, Ingemar Andersson and Göran Ejlertsson.
SHIS
The SHIS measures indicators of health from a salutogenic perspective. The questionnaire has only twelve questions and therefore not only can very easily be included in surveys of various kinds, but can also be used as a dialogue tool in various conversations where health is in focus, such as healthy lifestyle discussions or employee performance reviews.
SHIS – Salutogenic Health Indicator Scale
WEMS
The WEMS questionnaire contains statements about how one perceives their work and work situation, from a salutogenic perspective. The questionnaire is divided into six areas and has a total of 32 statements. Each statement has six response possibilities ranging from “Totally agree” to “Totally disagree.” The WEMS can be used individually or in combination with the SHIS (or other forms/questionnaires) as a dialogue tool in workplace health promotion and/or in employee performance reviews.