Stability of the sense of coherence in adolescence

Abstract

The aim of this prospective study was to explore the stability of sense of coherence (SOC) in adolescents from the age of 15 to 18 years. Methods: A prospective population-based follow-up study of 1294 first-born children was started in 1986. When the children were 15 (N = 846) and 18 (N = 792) years old, SOC was measured using questionnaires filled out at home. Results: The mean change in SOC scores (0.10, SD 10.2; in percentages 1.98%, SD 18.4) in the whole sample between the ages of 15 and 18 years was negligible and non-significant (p = .788). At the individual level, some changes were seen in the scores. The SOC scores of boys at the ages of 15 and 18 years were significantly higher than those of girls (mean 65.4 vs. 60.8 and 65.4 vs. 61.7, respectively). The SOC scores of adolescents living with both parents were higher than those with one parent or other guardian (mean 64.5 vs. 59.9), and the difference was significant in both age groups (p < .001). Conclusion·. Contrary to assumptions made in Antonovsky's theory, we found no significant change in SOC between the ages of 15 to 18 years, and coherence stability did not depend on the initial SOC. Some fluctuation in SOC scores was seen at the individual level. For planning of interventions, it is important to know that SOC seems to be reasonably stabilized before the age of 15 years.

The Handbook of Salutogenesis

“…Indeed, have stated that SOC is likely to vary during adolescence due to developmental changes, transitions, and challenges. While some researchers did not find differences among various age groups (Honkinen et al, 2008) and claimed the existence of SOC stability during adolescence (KroningerJungaberle, 2013), others focused on the variability between groups of adolescents between younger and older adolescents as well as between groups with high vs. low scores of SOC. The group with lower SOC reported more variability in its SOC scores (Buddeberg-Fischer, Klaghofer, & Schnyder, 2001).…”

Salutogenesis: Sense of Coherence in Adolescence

“…Indeed, Eriksson (2007) have stated that SOC is likely to vary during adolescence due to developmental changes, transitions, and challenges. While some researchers did not find differences among various age groups (Honkinen et al, 2008) and claimed the existence of SOC stability during adolescence (KroningerJungaberle, 2013), others focused on the variability between groups of adolescents between younger and older adolescents as well as between groups with high vs. low scores of SOC. The group with lower SOC reported more variability in its SOC scores (Buddeberg-Fischer, Klaghofer, & Schnyder, 2001).…”

Adolescents’ and Young Adults’ Experiences of Childhood Cancer

“…This is probably also a period in life where an individual's SOC is most sensitive to change 3 . What impact a potential traumatic event such as cancer in childhood has on the formation of SOC has not yet been studied, but a study that compared SOC between young long-term survivors of childhood cancer and young adults in general showed no difference in mean SOC scores 33 .…”

“…Almost 80% of the approximately 300 children (0-18 years) in Sweden who are diagnosed annually with cancer survive [1][2][3] . In relation to chemotherapy treatment, children often experience early complications such as lack of energy/fatigue, drowsiness, nausea, pain 4 , poor appetite, as well as physical discomfort and frailty 5 .…”