Proposal for a theoretical-methodological approach to the social construction of wellbeing/discomfort

Abstract

This article reflect of "well-being-is/discomfort-is" by recovering approaches linked to the Latin American socio-anthropological aspect and adding contributions from the vast field of psychology. It is considered that in our contemporary western urban societies, what we usually call health and our perception of discomfort are part of a process of social construction that is historically situated and multidimensionally conditioned. In this way, well-being and discomfort emerge as part of structural phenomena associated with processes of inequality and social differentiation that give rise to specific living conditions and symbolic and political processes (related to power). In this framework, well-being and discomfort are combined without excluding each other in a dynamic network of diverse practices and meanings. It is also considered an approach to the different planes or dimensions of human existence, which usually identify as biophysical, psychological, emotional and socio-relational, in an attempt to add unavoidable dimensions.   Finally, the article presents an approach to conceptual considerations involved in the development of an information collection instrument (survey) that is being tested. The proposal is part of a research project based at the Interdisciplinary Center for Social Sciences Methodology, National University of La Plata, which contemplates an instance of empirical survey combining standardized and non-standardized information techniques.