In the late 1970s, medical sociologist Aaron Antonovsky challenged this orthodoxy by introducing the concept of Salutogenesis (from the Latin salus=health, and the Greek genesis=origin). Antonovsky posited that chaos and stress are inherent to the human condition, not deviations from the norm. He proposed the “Health Ease/Dis-ease Continuum,” suggesting that individuals are not simply “healthy” or “sick,” but constantly moving along a spectrum between total health and breakdown [3]. The relevant question then shifts from “how do we treat disease?” to “how can we help a person move toward the health pole on the continuum, regardless of their current physiological state?”

The cornerstone of the salutogenic model is the Sense of Coherence (SOC). Antonovsky defined SOC as: “a global orientation that expresses the extent to which one has a pervasive, enduring though dynamic feeling of confidence.” This construct consists of three interrelated components:

Research suggests that people with a strong SOC are better able to identify and mobilize Generalized Resistance Resources (GRRs)—such as money, ego strength, social support, and cultural stability—to cope with stressors effectively, thereby maintaining or improving their health.

While the salutogenic model has been widely adopted in the Global North, specifically in Scandinavia, the United States, and Israel, its application in Latin America warrants specific investigation. For its part, the Latin American region is characterized by deep structural inequalities, rapid urbanization, and a polarized epidemiological profile where chronic non-communicable diseases (diabetes, hypertension, etc) coexist with infectious diseases and violence [4].

Furthermore, Latin America has a rich history of “Social Medicine” and “Collective Health,” which share philosophical roots with salutogenesis but have developed independently. Concepts such as Buen Vivir (Sumak Kawsay) in the Andean region emphasize harmony with the community and nature as a prerequisite for health, coinciding with the holistic nature of salutogenesis [5]. However, it is unclear to what extent Europe-derived salutogenic instruments (such as the SOC-29 or SOC-13 questionnaires) are culturally valid in these contexts, or whether they capture the nuances of Latin American resilience.

Given the potential fragmentation of the literature in this region—scattered across psychology, public health, nursing, and sociology journals, and often published in Spanish or Portuguese—a classic systematic review focusing on intervention effectiveness would be premature. A scoping review is the most appropriate methodology to: (a) map the volume of research activity in the region, (b) clarify concepts and definitions used in the local literature, (c) identify research gaps (eg, lack of qualitative studies, absence of intervention studies), and (d) synthesize the evidence to inform the feasibility of a future full systematic review [6].

To the best of our knowledge, no comprehensive scoping review has specifically addressed the production of salutogenic knowledge in Mexico and Latin America. This protocol outlines the rigorous steps we will take to address this gap.

We used the PCC (Population, Concept and Context) mnemonic recommended by the JBI to construct the research questions:

What is the current state of scientific knowledge regarding salutogenesis and the SOC in Mexico and Latin America from 2010 to 2026?

What theoretical frameworks and definitions of salutogenesis are employed in Latin American research? Which versions of the SOC scale (SOC-13, SOC-29, or adapted versions) are most frequently used and have been validated for specific local populations? What are the main health outcomes (mental health, chronic disease management, health behaviors) associated with salutogenesis in the region? In what settings (clinical, educational, community, occupational) [11]. Is the model being applied?

We will search the following electronic databases through access licenses provided by the University of Guadalajara, Mexico:

MEDLINE (via PubMed), Scopus (Elsevier), Web of Science (Core Collection), PsycINFO (APA), and CINAHL (EBSCOhost).

The search strategy will use a combination of controlled vocabulary (MeSH terms for PubMed, DeCS terms for LILACS/SciELO) and free-text keywords. The search will be conducted in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

A draft of the search strategy for PubMed is provided in Multimedia Appendix 1.

To minimize publication bias, we will search for gray literature in:

Google Scholar (reviewing the first 200 results): A broad multidisciplinary search engine that retrieves scholarly literature across formats, useful for capturing a wide range of academic sources

Institutional repositories of major Latin American universities (e.g., UNAM, University of São Paulo, University of Guadalajara): University-based repositories that provide access to theses, dissertations, articles, and other academic outputs produced by institutional researchers and students

ProQuest Dissertations and Theses: A major database of graduate theses and dissertations, offering access to extensive scholarly work from universities worldwide

Before starting the formal screening, the two reviewers (IMRH and RACG) will independently evaluate a random sample of 50 citations. We will calculate inter-rater reliability using Cohen’s Kappa coefficient. If Kappa<0.75, reviewers will discuss discrepancies and refine the inclusion criteria.

Two reviewers will independently examine all retrieved citations.

The full text of potentially eligible articles will be retrieved and evaluated independently. Reasons for exclusion will be recorded for each article rejected at this stage. Discrepancy Resolution: Any disagreement will be resolved through discussion or by consulting a third senior reviewer if consensus cannot be reached.

The methodology framework begins with a clear definition of salutogenesis tailored to the study’s context. To quantify the SOC, researchers utilized established instruments such as the SOC-13, SOC-29, SOC-L, or the Family SOC scale. Furthermore, the study details the reliability coefficients (Cronbach α) specifically calculated for the local population to ensure psychometric integrity. Finally, the analysis incorporates additional salutogenic constructs, specifically Generalized Resistance Resources (GRRs).

The main findings included associations between SOC and health outcomes, as well as the main themes identified in qualitative studies. Conclusions included the authors’ recommendations for policy or practice.

An initial framework will be established using categories derived from the study objectives, such as “Theoretical Frameworks” and “SOC Scale Variations.” These represent the “expected themes” identified in the pilot search.

Following the reflexive thematic analysis phases of Braun and Clarke [15], reviewers will read the data to identify emerging codes that capture regional nuances, such as the transition from individual to collective resilience or the integration of Buen Vivir [16].

The final narrative report will integrate numerical descriptions with these themes to provide a holistic view of the salutogenic paradigm in Mexico and Latin America.