Antonovsky’s Sense of Coherence: Trait or State?

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was first to analyze the stability of Antonovsky’s Sense of Coherence (SOC) as a measure of a person’s world view over time; secondly, to investigate its relationship with depression and anxiety. Methods: Data from two longitudinal studies were used: a study of severely injured accident victims (n = 96), and a study of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA, n = 60). The 13 items short version of the SOC scale and measures of depression and anxiety (Symptom Checklist, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) were administered repeatedly over 6–12 months in both studies. Results: In the sample of accident victims, a significant decrease in the SOC mean score was observed during the first half year after the accident. During the same time period, symptoms of anxiety and depression decreased significantly. In the second half year after the accident, SOC as well as measures of psychopathology remained stable. RA patients showed high stability of SOC and measures of anxiety and depression over time. In both samples, between-time correlations of SOC scores were high (r ≥ 0.70, p < 0.01), indicating a high test-retest stability of SOC. Furthermore, in both samples, significant negative correlations of a moderate to high degree (r = –0.28 to –0.73, p < 0.01) were found between SOC and measures of anxiety and depression. Conclusions: SOC can be seen as a relatively stable (trait) measure. However, traumatic events such as life-threatening accidents may change a person’s world view and thus their SOC, even if psychiatric symptoms abate. This suggests that SOC is not merely a proxy measure of psychopathology, but rather a partially independent, general measure of a person’s world view.

Analysis of validity and reliability of the adapted portuguese version of Antonovsky's Sense of Coherence Questionnaire among nursing professionals

“…to -0.75 (2,22) . Another study found correlations that ranged from moderate to strong magnitude between sense of coherence and the measures of anxiety and depression (r= -0.28 and r= -0.73, p<0.01) (12) .…”

“…Presence of depression and anxiety has been strongly associated with a low level of sense of coherence (1)(2)12,22) . to -0.75 (2,22) .…”

“…These measures were selected based on the literature that has shown that depression and anxiety are negatively associated with the measurement of sense of coherence (2,(12)(13) . The HADS contains 14 multiple-choice questions, divided into two subscales: anxiety (HADS-A) and depression (HADS-D), with seven items each.…”

“…The construct validity of the BrazilianPortuguese version of ASCQ (29 items) was investigated by means of convergent validity. To evaluate this validity the literature recommends the assessment of correlations between similar constructs (8) , thus, the sense of coherence has been associated with depression alone (2,6,(9)(10)(11) and with depression together with anxiety (12)(13) . There are indications that a strong sense of coherence would have a mediator effect between hostility and depressive symptoms (10) , while a low sense of coherence would be associated with an increased prevalence of depression (9) and anxiety (12) .…”

Descriptions of children's needs and parenthood among mothers with intellectual disability

“…This sense of coherence can change, even if it is to be understood more as something that develops into a personality trait. This may come about as a result of external influences, for example when a person's life undergoes radical changes lasting for a long period of time (Surtees et al 2006) or is impacted by traumatic events (Schnyder et al 1999(Schnyder et al , 2000.…”