Health well-being and self-care in adults with surgical conditions: theoretical reflections for comprehensive care

Abstract

Health well-being is a multidimensional construct that goes beyond the absence of disease and integrates physical, psychological, social and, in certain contexts, spiritual dimensions, whose interaction influences quality of life and people's ability to cope with health-disease processes. Within this framework, self-care becomes particularly relevant in adults with surgical conditions because of the functional, emotional and social changes that may accompany the perioperative process and subsequent recovery. The aim of this article is to analyze the theoretical foundations underlying the relationship between health well-being and self-care in adults with surgical conditions, with emphasis on implications for health education, autonomy and comprehensive recovery. A theoretical review of scientific literature and institutional documents published mainly between 2022 and 2026 was conducted, complemented by an analysis of essential classical references for understanding the constructs under study. The analysis showed that well-being and self-care should be understood from a comprehensive, person-centered perspective articulated with the family, health professionals and the sociocultural context. It is concluded that strengthening self-care capacities is a means of promoting active patient participation, preventing complications, improving continuity of care and contributing to well-being during surgical recovery.