Development of a short version of the sense of coherence scale for population survey

Abstract

A three-item sense of coherence (SOC) scale was developed, incorporating the definitions of the three subordinate concepts of SOC for use in population surveys. A cross-sectional internet survey was conducted in the latter part of July 2006. Cronbach's alpha was 0.84. The correlation coefficient of SOC-13 and the newly devised University of Tokyo Health Sociology version of the SOC Scale (SOC-3-UTHS) was 0.51. As regards correlation with a health index, SOC-3-UTHS had a significant association, although this association was somewhat weaker than that of SOC-13. Therefore, certain levels of convergent and concurrent validities of SOC-3-UTHS have been indicated.

Sense of coherence modifies the effect of overtime work on mental health

“…However, our data showed an acceptable value (α =0.85). Furthermore, measuring SOC with only three items is recommended for large surveys with limited questionnaire space 8) .…”

“…Responses to each question were scored on a Likert-type scale ranging from 1 to 7, with higher scores indicating stronger SOC. In Japanese studies, the Cronbach's alpha of the SOC-UTHS was ranged from 0.82 to 0.84 7,8) ; furthermore, it was significantly associated with the SOC-13 8) . Psychological distress was evaluated by the 28-item version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) 9) .…”

“…SOC was assessed using a shortened version of Antonovsky's SOC questionnaire, the University of Tokyo Health Sociology version of the SOC scale (SOC-UTHS) 7,8) . Responses to each question were scored on a Likert-type scale ranging from 1 to 7, with higher scores indicating stronger SOC.…”

The Application of Salutogenesis to Work

“…However, also for older workers, sense of coherence "can be modified, detrimentally or beneficially, by the nature of the working environment" (p. 165). Many studies have shown this volatility of sense of coherence and the influences of the work environment on its manifestation (Feldt, Kinnunen, & Mauno, 2000;Togari, Yamazaki, Nakayama, & Shimizu, 2007). Antonovsky elaborated on work characteristics that potentially are related to sense of coherence, offering a dense description of a workplace where individuals experience meaningfulness, manageability, and comprehensibility.…”

Perspectives on Salutogenesis of Scholars Writing in Japanese

“…Simultaneously, SOC3-UTHS, a three-item, seven-point version of the SOC3 scale, developed by The University of Tokyo Department of Health Sociology, was applied in an extensive multipurpose general population survey (Togari, Yamazaki, Nakayama, & Shimizu, 2007). The reason for this was that whereas many researchers wish to measure sense of coherence within surveys, a 13-item sense of coherence scale cannot always be inserted into questionnaires because of the large space requirement.…”