Janine Alexis B.

Rosco BA Psychology IV PSYCH

187

The definition of good health has continuously evolved through time. One of
the pioneering definitions by the World Health Organization (1948), state of
complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of
disease or infirmity. Critics said it was vague and unmeasurable. Stokes, Noren and
Shindlell (1982) later offered another definition as the state characterized by
anatomic, physiologic, and psychological integrity; ability to perform personally
valued family, work, and community roles; ability to deal with physical, biologic,
psychological, and social stress.

An informal survey was conducted to study if the common Filipinos concept

of good health do cohere with the existing legal definitions.

Underlying Themes Response*

Able to function normally be it physically, 7
psychologically, or socially
Absence of any illness or diseases 5
Inner beauty 1
N = 12
*MR = Multiple Response

The respondents were classified to be millennials, between the ages of 19-28

(M = 21.58, SD = 2.97).

Most of the respondents conceptualized good health as the ability to function

normally in all areas of life. An individual must be physically and psychologically fit
(absence of delusions or neuroticism, able to cope with stress) and able to
communicate well thus has a good relationship with other people. Another set of
responses described a healthy individual merely as without any illnesses, diseases,
pathogens, or viruses. A unique response among all the others pertained to beauty
since it is believed to be that having the right diet and lifestyle would reflect
outside.

Given this differing view of what good health is. Sartorius (2006) offered that
currentlt, three possible definitions of health. First, health as the absnece of any
diasease of impairment which would be diagnosed by someone with medical
profession. Second, health as a state that allows the individual to adequatley cope
with all demands of daily life. Third, it viewed health as the equilibirum an individual
establishes within himself and between himself and his social and physical
environment.

References
Sartorius, N. (2006). The meanings of health and its promotion. Croatian Medical
Journal, 662-664.
Stokes, J. I., Noren, J., & Shindell, S. (1982). Definition of terms and concepts
applicable to clinical preventive medicine. Community Health, 33-41.
World Health Organization. (1948). International Health Conference. Constitution of
the World Health Organization . New York.

Responses
Age Gender
1. Sane or sober, makafocus, walay delusions 20 Male
2. Walay sakit 27 Female
3. Beauty. Kung saktu kag kaon, lifestyle, 21 Male
moreflect ra sya outside.
4. Body condition when everything in you 20 Female
seems normal
5. Walay diseases. Capable socially. 21 Male
6. Dili neurotic. Walay sakit. 19 Female
7. Good is health comprises wellness and 19 Male
stability not only to the physical condition
but also to mental, emotional, and social.
Without an equilibrium to these aspects, a
person is not in good health, for me.
8. Good health - proper state of mind and body 23 Female
(i.e. Bodily functions), good health should
not only pertain to physical health, but
emotional and mental too
9. Good health can be measured by a person's 20 Female
ability to endure and complete tasks and a
person's attitude towards achieving a goal.
Good health is a combination of a healthy
diet, positive attitude, and an active mind.
10.Presence of good and undeterred bodily 21 Male
functions as well as that of a sharp mind.
11.Walay sakit. 28 Male
12.Good health kay when a person is mentally, 20 Female
physically and emotionally fit