Sense of coherence, self‐esteem, depression and hopelessness as correlates of reattempting suicide

Abstract

Sense of coherence (SOC) has been proposed as a psychological factor that predicts good health and positive adjustment. The three components of SOC: manageability, comprehensibility and meaning were assessed together with depression, hopelessness and self-esteem as factors predicting future suicidal ideation and behaviour in parasuicides. One hundred and fifty hospitalized parasuicides were evaluated on these measures and followed up after six months to determine their current level of suicidal ideation and whether they had been readmitted for a further attempt or killed themselves in the intervening period. Suicidal ideation on admission was best predicted by a low score on the SOC meaning subscale and also significantly related to the other predictor variables. Suicidal ideation at the six-month follow-up was best predicted by the SOC subscales manageability and comprehensibility. These two SOC subscales also emerged as discriminators of suicidal behaviour over the six months following admission. Overall prediction of suicidal behaviour was enhanced by also including the background variables of age, a history of previous attempts, unemployment and whether the attempter was living alone. The study ends with a discussion of the importance of widening the focus when assessing and predicting suicidal risk to include not only predictions based on pathology but also psychological factors that promote adjustment.

The Greek Version of the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-29): Psychometric Properties and Associations with Mental Illness, Suicidal Risk and Quality of Life

“…Low SOC at index attempt in suicide attempters has been found associated with suicidality at 2-month follow-up, and, in line with our findings, the associations were independent of major depression and symptom burden, suggesting that the SOC scale is more than just a mirror of psychopathology [47]. A link between low SOC and suicidal ideation and attempts has been also reported in one clinical study [48] and in some studies with non-clinical populations [49][50][51]. Our findings further support the link between sense of coherence and suicidality and provide additional evidence with regard to the validity of both SOC-29 as well as the newly introduced scale for the assessment of suicidality risk, i.e.…”

Staying well in old age: Predicting older adults’ wellness

“…Considering the relevance of living well in old age and the specific challenges for health and well-being into old age, there is a wealth of studies with regard to SOC as a predictor of health both in community and clinical settings (Antonovsky & Sagy 1985;Henje Blom et al 2010;Kalimo et al 2003;Kivimäki et al 2000;Larsson & Kallenberg 1996;Sairenchi et al 2011;Suominen et al 2001) and psychological variables such as well-being, SWL and quality of life (Kalimo & Vuori 1990;Petrie & Brook 1992;Söderberg, Lundman & Nordberg 1997). That being said, the background predictors of SOC have been much less examined (Volanen et al 2004(Volanen et al :322, 2006; in fact, only a few earlier studies have focused on the factors promoting SOC.…”

Suicide Ideation in the South African Police Services in the Northwest Province

“…Meaningfulness refers to the extent to which one feels that life is making sense on an emotional and not just a cognitive level. Petrie and Brook (1992) found that a low sense of coherence is related to suicidal behaviour.Various studies also showed negative correlations between sense of coherence and negative a¡ect (e.g. anxiety) (Carmel & Bernstein, 1990;Flannery & Flannery, 1990;Frenz, Carey & Jorgenson, 1993;Gibson & Cook, 1996;Kravetz, Drory & Florian,1993).…”