Sense of coherence, negative affectivity, and general health in farm supervisors

Relationship between Depression, Anxiety, Sense of Coherence, Social Support and Religious Involvement in a Small Rural Community Affected by Industrial Relations Conflict

The paper reports a study of stress responses in workers at a sawmill in a small rural community which had been affected by prolonged industrial relations conflict. Workers went on strike in July 1997 over a dispute over contributions to a provident fund and there was much conflict and hardship in the community in the ensuing months. In December, a large sample of workers completed a set of scales which measured anxiety, depression, specific impacts of the strike and three stress response moderators (social support, sense of coherence [SOC] and religious practice). In a factor analysis, two factors were identified. The first was interpreted as a “response to the strike” factor. The positive pole of this factor was associated with having difficulty coping with the stress of the strike, being sensitive to the negative impact of unfair labour practices, responding positively to trade union activity and having a larger number of social supports. The second factor was interpreted as representing “negative versus positive cognitive set”. The positive pole of this factor was associated with higher levels of anxiety, depression and somatic symptoms and low levels of SOC and involvement in religious practice. Although the correlational methodology does not allow for the demonstration that particular variables served as stress response moderators, the results suggested that response to the strike was largely independent of the stress response moderators and was probably mediated by other social and interpersonal factors. The inverse relation between anxiety and depression, on the one hand, and SOC, on the other, replicates previous findings and is discussed in terms of incompatibility of competing cognitive sets.

[Psychometric instruments for the diagnosis of tinnitus]

Tinnitus is a very complex phenomenon with various mechanisms of origin. Multimodal and interdisciplinary treatment is the most effective form of treatment for patients with chronic tinnitus. In order to assess existing comorbidity in tinnitus patients as well as to treat the patients individually, a comprehensive and differentiated diagnosis is needed. Since standardized guidelines for the use of relevant instruments in the diagnosis of tinnitus have been lacking hitherto, we present here psychometric questionnaires which have already been used effectively in the research, diagnosis and therapy of tinnitus in the present article. The questionnaires measure the severity of tinnitus, depression and anxiety, the perceived stress, personal resources as well as the quality of life of patients.

Reliability Generalization

The assessment of positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA) by means of the Positive Affect and Negative Affect Schedule has received a remarkable popularity in the social sciences. Using a meta-analytic tool—namely, reliability generalization (RG)—population reliability scores of both scales have been investigated on the basis of a random effects model in 147 studies. Correcting for measurement errors, the results demonstrate moderate to high internal consistency coefficients and variations of the PA and NA reliability scores with regard to time frame instructions, language of items, and sample characteristics. The percentage of PA and NA true score variance differs in subpopulations up to 11%. RG analysis of test–retest coefficients illustrates state-like fluctuations and trait-like stability of both scales. Calculations of the fail-safe number point at the robustness of the results. Applications of RG coefficients compared to single-study coefficients highlight the relevance of population coefficients for research and assessment situations.

Factorial invariance of the 13-item Sense of Coherence scale across gender

This study examined the gender invariance of the 13-item Sense of Coherence (SOC) scale. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that a single factor model with one pair of correlated errors fit the data well. Invariance testing indicated that the scale is both congeneric and tau equivalent, meaning that a single latent SOC construct holds equally well for males and females, and that both genders demonstrate an equivalent pattern of factor loadings. There was little evidence in support of latent factor mean equivalence across gender. Explanations for the lack of factor mean equivalence were discussed and recommendations for future research were suggested.

Validity of Antonovsky's sense of coherence scale: a systematic review

STUDY OBJECTIVE

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 authorized 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 alpha ranges from 0.70 to 0.95. The alpha 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.

Psychological symptoms and competence at three organizational levels of industrial design: the main and moderating role of sense of coherence

This study investigated the role of the sense of coherence in occupational well-being at three organizational positions of industrial designing (top-level designers, designers, and assisting personnel). In a sample of 422 industrial design personnel, sense of coherence was positively related to competence and negatively to psychological symptoms. It also moderated the relation of autonomy to competence and psychological symptoms but more strongly among the designers and the assisting personnel than among the top-level designers. Analysis showed autonomy was beneficial for individuals who also had high scores on sense of coherence. Longitudinal studies are needed on the role of sense of coherence as regards the psychological health of different subgroups.

Alexithymia and sense of coherence in patients with total spinal cord transection

OBJECTIVE

The study investigated the possibility that total spinal cord transection leading to tetraplegia would affect the ability to experience and identify emotions. It also examined whether the dispositional orientation of "sense of coherence" contributed to self-rated quality of life after spinal cord transection.

METHODS

Twenty patients with total spinal cord transection at the level of the sixth cervical vertebrae and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects completed measures of alexithymia, sense of coherence, and quality of life.

RESULTS

There were no differences between the two groups on alexithymia scores. However, spinal injury patients reported significantly decreased quality of life relative to matched healthy control subjects. A strong sense of coherence was associated with better self-reported quality of life. This relationship remained after controlling for current affective status.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that 1) loss of afferent feedback to the brain via the spinal cord does not have a significant effect on alexithymia scores, particularly factor 1 (difficulty in identifying feelings), and 2) sense of coherence may be an important factor in determining psychological adjustment after serious injury.

Environmental illness--effectiveness of a salutogenic group-intervention programme

AIMS

Hypersensitivity to electricity (HE) is a common form of reported environmental illness in Sweden. Functional somatic symptoms has been attributed to exposure to activated electrical equipment, but no causal relationship to electromagnetic fields has been proved. In many cases, traumatic life events and psychosocial stress can be identified, but patients often reject psychological explanations. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a new short-term group-intervention programme.

METHODS

A multidisciplinary team developed a short-term group-intervention programme, with a salutogenic approach that focuses on somatic and psychological reactions. Twenty-two patients (14 women and 8 men) who reported HE participated in eight weekly sessions of group meetings and physiotherapy. The effect of the programme was evaluated with regard to changes in work capacity, subjective well-being, coping ability, body awareness and physical fitness.

RESULTS

Contrary to our hypothesis physical fitness was not remarkably low. Muscular tension was reduced and body awareness increased but no significant change in symptoms was observed. Individual differences in progress were observed. Fourteen patients chose to continue with psychotherapy or physiotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Participants accepted the programme very well. One important result was identification of underlying contributing factors and motivation for further therapy. A multidisciplinary group-intervention programme with a salutogenic approach might be a useful approach to patients with medically unexplained symptoms in primary healthcare.

Sense of coherence as a mediator between hostility and health: seven-year prospective study on female employees

OBJECTIVE

We proposed and tested a model in which low sense of coherence (SOC) was hypothesized to underlie the association between hostility and health problems.

METHODS

Structural equation modeling was based on cross-lagged 7-year follow-up data, relating to five measurement points in 433 female municipal employees.

RESULTS

The mediated model fitted well with the data. After adjustment for baseline characteristics, hostility was associated with increased risk of health problems, as indicated by records of sickness absences and poor self-rated health. Incorporating SOC into the model attenuated this association by 33-50%, depending on the indicator of health. The mediated effect of SOC was stronger than that of an alternative mediator, depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Low SOC may be a psychological background factor partially underlying the adverse effect of hostility on ill health.

Kohärenzsinn als Prädiktor und Suppressor bei der Unterscheidung von Gesundheit und Krankheit

Zusammenfassung. An einer Stichprobe von 5133 Befragungspersonen beiderlei Geschlechts im Alter zwischen 40 und 65 Jahren wurde der Frage nachgegangen, ob Kohärenzsinn (“Sense of Coherence”, SOC) bei der Trennung von kranken und gesunden Probanden relativ zu den Dimensionen Neurotizismus, Depressivität, Optimismus und soziale Unterstützung einen eigenständigen Beitrag leistet. Operationalisiert wurde Kohärenzsinn durch die 29 Items umfassende Skala von Antonovsky (1987 , SOC-A) und durch eine Skala mit 19 Items, die in Heidelberg entwickelt wurde (SOC-HD). In logistischen Regressionen trugen Alter und Geschlecht am stärksten zur Trennung der Gruppen bei. Von den Persönlichkeitsmerkmalen waren Neurotizismus und Depressivität am erklärungsmächtigsten. Mehrfach leistete zudem auch Kohärenzsinn einen signifikanten Beitrag, wobei das Diskriminations-Inkrement jedoch durch Suppression kriteriumsirrelevanter Varianzanteile in der Prädiktorenkombination auftrat. Diese Suppressionswirkung trat nur bei SOC-HD, nicht aber SOC-A auf. Darüber hinaus war die Wechselwirkung zwischen SOC und der Zahl kritischer Lebensereignisse, die vor dem Hintergrund der salutogenetischen Konzeption erwartet werden musste, nicht zu beobachten. Die Ergebnisse begründen somit ernste Zweifel an der theoretischen Eigenständigkeit von Sense of Coherence und beschränken die Nützlichkeit der SOC-HD-Skala bei der Aufklärung von Gesundheits-Krankheitsunterschieden auf eine Suppressionswirkung.

Sense of coherence and health: evidence from two cross-lagged longitudinal samples

We explored the stability of sense of coherence (SOC) and the relationship between SOC and health in two cross-lagged longitudinal samples by using structural equation modeling. In Study 1, comprising 577 municipal male and female employees, SOC was found to be stable in both sexes. In women, SOC significantly predicted sickness absences in the 4-year follow-up period. A low SOC, but not a high SOC, was associated with health prospects. Surprisingly, SOC did not influence sickness absences among men. Study 2 further tested the relationship between SOC and health in 320 male technical designers. Although SOC was cross-sectionally associated with psychological and somatic health complaints, it did not predict later health complaints in a 5-year follow-up. Thus, the present study supports the dispositional character of SOC in both sexes and its predictive validity among women. No support was found to the salutogenic status of SOC and an unexpected gender difference was revealed.

Stress, social support, and sense of coherence

In the Salutogenic Model, Aaron Antonovsky suggested that a sense of coherence (SOC) is the key determinant in the maintenance of health. He theorized that individuals with a strong SOC have the ability to (a) define life events as less stressful (comprehensibility), (b) mobilize resources to deal with encountered stressors (manageability), and (c) possess the motivation, desire, and commitment to cope (meaningfulness). To determine the effects of SOC on health outcomes, a greater understanding of the development and maintenance of SOC is necessary. Data from the 1994 Canadian National Population Health Survey were analyzed to investigate the effects of stress, social support, and recent traumatic life events on SOC. As predicted, stress and recent traumatic events were found to be inversely related to SOC, and social support was positively related. Traumatic events encountered in childhood were stronger predictors of SOC than traumatic life events experienced in adulthood.