Toward a Unified Understanding: A Literature Review of Self-Care Conceptualization for the General Population

The study and conceptualization of self-care have a longstanding history. However, a clear conceptualization of self-care remains contested due to the plurality of perspectives and diversity of definitions, particularly when considering the general population regardless of pathology. Our literature review aimed to better understand how to conceptualize self-care for the general population, drawing on existing scientific literature on self-care theory and conceptualization.

We followed The Cochrane Collaboration's and PRISMA-P Group's methodological guidelines for the conceptualization, analysis, and reporting of literature reviews.

Our results reaffirmed the varied and evolving interpretations of self-care and provided insights into conceptualizing and promoting self-care among the general population. The analysis, based on three main criteria (definitions, antecedents, and consequences), highlighted a continuous renewal of the self-care concept across various disciplines and demographic groups. For the general population, self-care is fundamentally intentional and purpose-driven, encompassing a wide spectrum of purposes from health management to enhancing overall well-being. This multifaceted concept integrates actions, abilities, and socio-cognitive processes and emphasizes the importance of understanding the multiple antecedents of self-care to develop effective policies and interventions that enhance well-being and quality of life across diverse groups.

From our perspective, the conceptualization of self-care for the general population benefits from a systemic, ecological view. Moreover, promoting self-care outcomes, such as autonomy, independence, and self-efficacy, can yield benefits, including improved health and well-being for the general population. We advocate for a multi-tiered approach to self-care promotion, implemented through schools, workplaces, and broader community contexts, to maximize benefits across society.