Vitality: concept and factors related

Abstract

Objective This article aimed to synthesize and analyze the meaning and the factors related to vitality.

Materials and Methods Search, using “vitality” as a key word from PubMed and Cinahl during the years 1995 to 2011, the author found 125 related articles. Also 11 available literatures fromtext books, dictionaries, and thesaurus were used to identify the uses of this concept. From Google search engine, using Thai keyword, the author found 1 related Thai article. Finally 42 articles with clear content and be reachable were analyzed and synthesized using Walker and Avant method of concept analysis.

Results Vitality is defi ned as a powerful feeling that makes individuals perceive themselves as healthy, capably and active. This feeling drives person done meaningful activities happiness and a specifi c aim. Autonomy, intrinsic motivation, support from family/ community, perception of physical healthiness and hope are antecedents of vitality.

Conclusion These results illustrated the meaning and factors related to vitality. They might be useful in designing effective interventions, in order to maintain or restore vitality which, in turn, contributes to improve health and quality of life of people.