This is the first large epidemiological study of the Sense of Coherence concept carried out in a non-western culture. One adult from each of 456 families living in northern Thailand filled in the Sense of Coherence scale (SOC) and checklists measuring anxiety, depression and self-esteem. The mean value for SOC was comparable with western studies. High SOC was related to high self-esteem and low distress scores in the parents. The same associations were found between parental SOC and the perceived competence and behaviour problems of the children. High SOC acted as a protective factor in high socio-economic stress situations.

This epidemiological study investigated the frequency of behaviour problems and competence in 483 Thai children and youths, aged 7-18 years. The randomly selected subjects lived in cities and rural areas in northern and north-eastern Thailand. The main questionnaires were the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), the Teacher's Report Form (TRF), and Harter's Perceived Competence Scale for Children. Older subjects in urban areas had higher problem scores than other groups according to the reports from the parents. Teachers reported similar frequencies of behaviour problems. Boys showed more 'externalizing' and delinquent behaviour on both the CBCL and the TRF. Younger subjects had higher scores on the Perceived Competence Scale.