"Hope" makes sense in Eritrean Sense of Coherence, but "Loser" does not... (original) (raw)
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Polish Psychological Bulletin
The Orientation to Life Questionnaire for the measurement of the sense of coherence, the key construct of a popular theory by Antonovsky, has no univocally established construct validity. The aim of the study was to explore differential and convergent aspects of its construct validity. An attempt was made to determine the relationships between the SOC-29 Questionnaire on the one hand and, on the other hand, measures of optimism, generalized self-efficacy, trait anxiety, neuroticism, and depression. The results indicate that one common factor explains a significant proportion of variance of all the instruments studied, which suggests that they are indicators of the same higher-order construct. A particularly strong relationship was found between SOC and both trait anxiety and neuroticism, so redundancy of these three measures seems to be highly probable. Since 26% unique variance of the sense of coherence was noted, further research is needed to establish discriminative validity of the instrument (at present rather doubtful).
BMC Psychology
Background The sense of coherence is as focused on one’s awareness of the level of pervasive, enduring, and dynamic feelings. Stronger sense of coherence leads to better physical and mental health and promotes recovery from life stressors. Sense of coherence-13 (SOC-13) is a 13-item valid and reliable measure for individual’s healthy living. However, the factor structure of SOC-13 was criticized in several cultures and languages. The current study was set to explore the factor structure of an Arabic adaptation for SOC-13. Methods This cross-sectional study of the SOC-13 included (n = 1235) Arabic speaking individuals. We used confirmatory factor analysis to contrast unidimensional, bidimensional, three-dimensional, and four-dimensional factor structure for the SOC-13. We carried out measurement invariance analysis across age and gender groups to examine the stability of fit indices among participants’ subgroups. Results We found the reliability coefficient to be 0.82, indicative of ...
Validity of Antonovsky's sense of coherence scale: a systematic review
Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 2005
The aim of this paper is to systematically review and analyse the validity and reliability of Antonovsky's life orientation questionnaire/sense of coherence scale (SOC). Design: The study is descriptive and analytical with a systematic integration of the contemporary knowledge base on the salutogenic research published 1992-2003. The review includes 458 scientific publications and 13 doctoral theses. Setting: Worldwide, based on postgraduate scientific publications in eight authorised databases, doctoral theses, and available books. Main results: The SOC questionnaire has been used in at least 33 languages in 32 countries with at least 15 different versions of the questionnaire. In 124 studies using SOC-29 the Cronbach's a ranges from 0.70 to 0.95. The a values in 127 studies using SOC-13 range from 0.70 to 0.92, and in 60 studies using a modified SOC scale range from 0.35 to 0.91. Test-retest correlation show stability and range from 0.69 to 0.78 (1 year), 0.64 (3 years), 0.42 to 0.45 (4 years), 0.59 to 0.67 (5 years) to 0.54 (10 years). The means of SOC-29 range 100.50 (SD 28.50) to 164.50 (SD 17.10) points and SOC-13 from 35.39 (SD 0.10) to 77.60 (SD 13.80) points. After 10 years SOC seems to be comparatively stable, but not as stable as Antonovsky initially assumed. SOC tends to increase with age. The factorial structure of SOC seems rather to be multidimensional than unidimensional. SOC predicts a positive outcome in a long term perspective, although there are divergent findings reported. The SOC scale seems to be a reliable, valid, and cross culturally applicable instrument measuring how people manage stressful situations and stay well.
Scandinavian Journal of Psychology
Considering how much we know about the impact of the Sense of Coherence (SOC) on different health-related outcomes, we know surprisingly little about how a strong SOC actually develops. In this study we examine the mechanisms behind the formation of a strong SOC and study the role of migration, integration and general resistance resources (GRRs) in this process. We held 46 life-story interviews with women of Turkish, Moroccan and Surinamese descent. We divided the respondents in a relatively strong and weak SOC group in order to discern patterns of life experiences associated with SOC development. We find that, as Antonovsky predicted, experiencing consistency and load balance are associated with a strong SOC. In opposition to Antonovsky's claims, decision making power is not a necessary condition to develop meaningfulness. Moreover, the women's life narratives show that migration and integration are related to the mechanisms shaping SOC, yet, the impact is subjective and depends on the availability and use of GRRs. Our findings provide improvements to Antonovsky's salutogenic theory and provide suggestions for interventions aimed at strengthening SOC.
Validation of Sense of Coherence (SOC) 13-item scale in Iranian sample
Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2010
Objective: The aim of the present study was to test the reliability and validity of Farsi version of the Sense of Coherence 13-item scale (SOC; Antonovsky 1987) in Iranian sample. Methods: participants completed Farsi SOC 13-item scale and Hardiness 45item scale (kobasa, Maddi, and Kahn, 1982; Bartone, 1991; Besharat, 2008). Data from a cross-sectional study with a sample of 375 undergraduate students, (137 males and 238 females), age 18-24, were analyzed. Results: Test of internal consistency of the SOC-13, revealed that all 13 items are highly correlated with total score. The Cronbach's alpha for the inventory was 0.77. The alpha for the males was 0.75, and for females was 0.78. The correlation between SOC 13-item scale and Hardiness 45-item scale was significant (r=0.54, p<0.01). A re-test after 6-8 weeks showed a significant correlation (r = 0.66, p > 0.01) between test and re-test scores. Statistical significant correlation were observed between subscales score and total score (Meaningfulness r=0.76, Comprehensibility r=0.86, Manageability r=0.81). Factor analysis extracted four factors with an eigenvalue of greater than 1 that could explain 53.49% of the total variance. Conclusion: The results confirmed the reliability and validity of Sense of Coherence 13-item scale (Farsi version) in Iranian population.
Sense of coherence and depressive symptoms among low income Bedouin women
Background: Higher sense of coherence (SOC) has been associated with lower depression in Western societies; however, it is not clear whether this association manifests similarly in non- Western cultural contexts. Aims: To examine the associations between different levels of SOC and depressive symptoms (DS) among indigenous-minority Arab Bedouin women in Israel and explore possible explanatory variables for this association. Methods: We conducted face-to-face interviews with 464 women (aged 18–49 years). DS was measured based on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. We used the SOC-13 questionnaire and conducted path analysis using Structural Equation Modeling to examine the contribution of two levels of SOC (low/high) to predict DS beyond psychological resources and socioeconomic position. Results: The mean score of SOC was 3.42, standard deviation (SD)¼1.15. While high SOC (mean¼4.38, SD¼0.66, range¼3.5–6.38) was positively and significantly associated with DS (r¼0.46), SOC was not associated (r¼0.02) with DS in the low SOC group (mean¼2.4, SD¼0.56, range¼1–3.42). Conclusions: Relationships between high versus low SOC and DS among Bedouin women differ from those found in Western societies. This raises questions about the use of SOC as a universal tool in different cultural contexts.
Background: The theory of salutogenesis entails that the ability to use resources for one's wellbeing is more important than the resources themselves. This ability is referred to as the Sense of Coherence (SOC). This paper present the cross-culturally adapted version of the Italian questionnaire (13 items), and the psychometric and statistical testing of the SOC properties. It offers for the first time a view of the distribution of SOC in an Italian sample, and uses a multivariate method to clarify the effects of socio-demographic determinants on SOC.
Journal of Consumer Satisfaction, Dissatisfaction and Complaining Behavior , 2022
This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Revised Sense of Coherence (SOC-R) in Argentina, which assesses the general ability to perceive life phenomena as connected and to balance positive and negative appraisals of life experiences. A total of 575 people participated in the study with ages between 18 and 84 years (M = 43.94, SD = 15.90) and both genders (male= 35.7 %, female= 64.3 %). A 3-factor model resulted in acceptable fit indices (NNFI = .95; CFI = .97; IFI = .97; RMSEA = .054). Results indicated an acceptable internal consistency for the subscales Manageability (ω= .73; α= .69), Reflection (ω= .89; α= .85) and Balance (ω= .70; α= .55). The adaptation into Spanish presents 13 items, as proposed by the original authors. The findings showed that the scale is valid to be used in the Argentine population.
Sense of coherence and psychological well-being: improvement with age
Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 2009
Background Psychological well-being is important for individuals, communities and health services throughout the world because of the costs associated with psychological ill-health and the loss of quality of life for those affected and their relatives. Following a salutogenic approach, there is a link between healthpromoting resources, such as generalised resistance resources and a positive state of health. Generalised resistance resources have been proposed to relate to an individual's sense of coherence (SOC). The objectives of the present study were (i) to investigate SOC in relation to age and sex, (ii) to investigate psychological wellbeing in relation to age and sex, and (iii) to investigate the relationship between generalised resistance resources and psychological well-being. Methods A random sample of 43 598 respondents (54% female) aged 18e85 years participated in the present study via a postal survey questionnaire. SOC was measured by the SOC-13 and well-being by the General Health Questionnaire-12 questionnaire. Results Males had both stronger SOC and well-being compared to females. There was a relationship between SOC and age, with stronger SOC in the older age groups. There was a larger proportion of individuals who experienced well-being as a function of age. In addition, an increase in SOC was related to a decrease in psychological well-being, that is, a stronger SOC corresponded to higher well-being. Conclusion Males showed a stronger SOC and more well-being than females. Moreover, SOC and well-being increased with age in both sexes. Our findings suggest that SOC may develop over a entire lifetime.