Family Dynamics and Personal Strengths among Dementia Caregivers in Argentina

This study examined whether healthier family dynamics were associated with higher personal strengths of resilience, sense of coherence, and optimism among dementia caregivers in Argentina. Caregivers are usually required to assist individuals with dementia, and family members have typically fulfilled that role. Personal strengths such as resilience, sense of coherence, and optimism have been shown to protect caregivers from some of the negative experiences of providing care, though the family-related variables associated with these personal strengths are largely unknown. Hierarchical multiple regressions investigated the extent to which family dynamics variables are associated with each of the caregiver personal strengths after controlling for demographic and caregiver characteristics. A sample of 105 caregivers from Argentina completed a set of questionnaires during a neurologist visit. Family dynamics explained 32% of the variance in resilience and 39% of the variance in sense of coherence. Greater family empathy and decreased family problems were uniquely associated with higher resilience. Greater communication and decreased family problems were uniquely associated with higher sense of coherence. Optimism was not found to be significantly associated with family dynamics. These results suggest that caregiver intervention research focused on the family may help improve caregiver personal strengths in Argentina and other Latin American countries

Integrating a sense of coherence into the neonatal environment

Background: Family centred care (FCC) is currently a valued philosophy within neonatal care; an approach that places the parents at the heart of all decision-making and engagement in the care of their infant. However, to date, there is a lack of clarity regarding the definition of FCC and limited evidence of FCCs effectiveness in relation to parental, infant or staff outcomes. Discussion: In this paper we present a new perspective to neonatal care based on Aaron Antonovksy’s Sense of Coherence (SOC) theory of well-being and positive health. Whilst the SOC was originally conceptualised as a psychological-based construct, the SOCs three underpinning concepts of comprehensibility, manageability and meaningfulness provide a theoretical lens through which to consider and reflect upon meaningful care provision in this particular care environment. By drawing on available FCC research, we consider how the SOC concepts considered from both a parental and professional perspective need to be addressed. The debate offered in this paper is not presented to reduce the importance or significance of FCC within neonatal care, but, rather, how consideration of the SOC offers the basis through which meaningful and effective FCC may be delivered. Practice based implications contextualised within the SOC constructs are also detailed. Summary: Consideration of the SOC constructs from both a parental and professional perspective need to be addressed in FCC provision. Service delivery and care practices need to be comprehensible, meaningful and manageable in order to achieve and promote positive well-being and health for all concerned

Sense of coherence in adolescents

Summary: Objectives: The course of sense of coherence (SOC) in adolescents over an 18-month-period and the correlation between individual variability in the SOC scale scores and physical and psychological symptoms were examined. Methods: A sample of 341 students from two Swiss senior high schools were investigated by means of questionnaires three times over a period of 18 months. The questionnaire comprised the SOC scale (SOC-13) and measures of physical and psychological impairment. Results: Male adolescents had a significantly higher SOC mean score than females. Significant negative correlations between the SOC and the symptom scales were found in both genders. Higher symptom scores correlated with a greater variability of the SOC scores. Independent of their sex, individuals with a high SOC score at t, showed less variability in the SOC values over time than individuals with low SOC scores. In adolescents who revealed low symptom scores the SOC scale scores almost reached levels seen in adults and remained relatively stable over time. Conclusions: The results suggest a certain degree of stability of SOC in middle to late adolescenc

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The article relates to a sense of coherence and styles of coping with stress in a group of students of medical and non-medical universities. In the first part, a brief characteristics of the specifics of studies and future student work from both types of universities were presented. The issue of a sense of coherence and coping with stress in research was approximated closer. The study used a life orientation questionnaire (SOC-29) examining the sense of coherence and a questionnaire of coping in stressful situations (CISS). The level of a sense of coherence and strategies to deal with stress from students from medical and non-medical universities were compared. With the use of SOC-29 and CISS questionnaires, a group of 145 people were examined. Among the respondents there were 72 students from medical universities and 73 students from non-medical universities. In a group of students from medical universities, it has been shown that the level of sense of coherence is significantly different from the level of sense of coherence of non-medical students. The style focused on emotions was most often used in both student groups. There is a relationship between a style focused on emotions and a sense of coherence. In the study groups, no relationship was shown between the style concentrated on avoidance and the sense of coherence. The level of sense of coherence of students from medical universities is significantly different from the level of sense of coherence of students from non-medical universities. Students from both universities most often use the style concentrated on emotions, less often task style. The style focused on emotions correlates at a high level with a sense of coherence. The style focused on avoidance does not correlate with a sense of coherence. A relationship between an emotional style of coping with stress and a low sense of coherence is visible

Stress, sense of coherence and quality of life among Norwegian nurse students after a period of clinical practice

Background. Previous research has found that sense of coherence is significantly related to aspects of health, but studies on nurse students with a salutogenic approach are limited. Objectives. To investigate (1) if nurse students’ experience of stress differs among clinical practice in nursing homes and medical/surgical wards. (2) Whether sense of coherence and stress are associated with quality of life. (3) If sense of coherence acts as a moderator in the relationship between stress and quality of life. Participants. Data were collected from 227 nurse students between January and April 2014. Methods. Questionnaires measuring stress, sense of coherence and quality of life were completed after a period of clinical practice. Linear regression analyses were used to measure associations between stress, and sense of coherence respectively, and quality of life. Results. The results showed that 33.92% of the students experienced moderate or high levels of stress, and there was significantly more stress in hospital wards compared to nursing homes (p = 0.027). Sense of coherence was positively associated with quality of life in the simple and multiple regression analyses (p < 0.01). Stress was negatively associated with quality of life in the simple regression analysis (p < 0.01), but not in the multiple analyses when sense of coherence was included. However, when we included an interaction term, stress was no longer associated with quality of life and sense of coherence appeared to be a significant moderator in the relationship between stress and quality of life (p = 0.015). Thus, a negative association was seen among students with the lowest levels of sense of coherence. Conclusion. These findings suggest that sense of coherence could be seen as a resource that nurse educators can build upon when supporting students in coping with stress

Sense of Coherence and Gambling: Exploring the Relationship Between Sense of Coherence, Gambling Behaviour and Gambling-Related Harm

Understanding why some people experience problems with gambling whilst others are able to restrict gambling to recreational levels is still largely unexplained. One potential explanation is through salutogenesis, which is a health promotion approach of understanding factors which move people towards health rather than disease. An important aspect of salutogenesis is sense of coherence. Individuals with stronger sense of coherence perceive their environment as comprehensible, manageable and meaningful. The present study examined the relationship of individuals’ sense of coherence on their gambling behaviour and experience of gambling related harm. This exploratory study utilised an archival dataset (n = 1236) from an online, cross sectional survey of people who had experienced negative consequences from gambling. In general, a stronger sense of coherence was related to lower problem gambling severity. When gambling behaviour was controlled for, sense of coherence was significantly related to the experience of individual gambling harms. A strong sense of coherence can be seen as a protective factor against problematic gambling behaviour, and subsequent gambling related harms. These findings support the value of both primary and tertiary prevention strategies that strengthen sense of coherence as a harm minimisation strategy. The present study demonstrates the potential value of, and provides clear direction for, considering sense of coherence in order to understand gambling-related issues.This study was funded by the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, Grant VRGF1-13

The sense of coherence and the health behavior of students medical and non-medical universities

The article presents the sense of coherence in the perspective of health behaviors of students of medical and non-medical universities. The first part introduces the concepts of the sense of coherence and health-related behaviors. The sense of coherence was explored using the Life Orientation Questionnaire (SOC-29), and health behaviors with the Health Behavior Inventory (IZZ). The group taking part in the study consisted of 216 people - 90 students of medical universities and 126 students of non-medical universities. Research results indicate that there is a relationship between the sense of coherence and health behaviors in the study population. Students of medical and non-medical universities differ statistically significantly in terms of health behaviors. In terms of the sense of coherence, the difference is close to statistical significance, which does not make it possible to present unambiguous conclusions. It was noticed that there is a difference in the declared health behaviors due to gender and that there is a relationship between the frequency of physical activity and health behaviors.The article presents the sense of coherence in the perspective of health behaviors of students of medical and non-medical universities. The first part introduces the concepts of the sense of coherence and health-related behaviors. The sense of coherence was explored using the Life Orientation Questionnaire (SOC-29), and health behaviors with the Health Behavior Inventory (IZZ). The group taking part in the study consisted of 216 people - 90 students of medical universities and 126 students of non-medical universities. Research results indicate that there is a relationship between the sense of coherence and health behaviors in the study population. Students of medical and non-medical universities differ statistically significantly in terms of health behaviors. In terms of the sense of coherence, the difference is close to statistical significance, which does not make it possible to present unambiguous conclusions. It was noticed that there is a difference in the declared health behaviors due to gender and that there is a relationship between the frequency of physical activity and health behaviors

Life orientation and chosen sociomedical indicators of women suffering from type 2 diabetes

The aim of the study: In the process of dealing with diabetes every day the sense of coherence plays an important role. This construct in the salutogenesis theory determines the ability ofan individual to skilfully utilize the available resources for their own wellbeing. In many works the influence of demographic, social and clinical factors on the sense of coherence of people suffering from diabetes was analysed. However, little attention was paid to the detailed description of this issue among women suffering from diabetes. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between the sense of coherence and the chosen sociomedical variables among women suffering from type 2 diabetes. Material and methods: In total 131 women suffering from type 2 diabetes treated at the Endocrinology Hospital and the Diabetes Outpatient Clinic were the subject of this research. The women who were selected for this research were 40 years old, had suffered from diabetes for over one year and gave permission to take part in the study.The study was conducted based on the original questionnaire comprising the data concerning: age, educational background, place of residence, marital status and professional activity. The questionnaire allowed gathering medical data like: duration of the disease, BMI index, HbA1c value or the method of diabetes treatment.Life Orientation Questionnaire (SOC-29) by A. Antonovski [4] in a Polish language version was used to determine the rating of the sense of coherence. Results. The level of the sense of coherence of the surveyed women suffering from diabetes was between 47 and 197 points. Statistically significant differences were not observed (p > 0.05) in the ratings of the sense of coherence versus the place of residence, education or marital status. There were no significant relationships (p > 0.05) between the sense of coherence, its components and the method of treatment, HbA1c value and the disease duration time. A statistically relevant difference (p < 0.05) between the sense of coherence, its components and the age of respondents was demonstrated. Moreover, a statistically relevant difference was proven (p < 0.05) between the sense of coherence and Body Mass Index. Furthermore, a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) between the sense of coherence, its components and the professional activity of the research subjects was found. Conclusions: 1.The level of sense of coherence was lower than the standard average norms as applied by A. Antonovsky (133-160 points) among women suffering from type 2 diabetes. 2. Women who were professionally active and mature stood out with a high level of the sense of coherence and its components. 3. Women suffering from type 2 diabetes with normal body weight had high a level of the sense of coherence

Comparing Antonovsky's sense of coherence scale across three UK post-industrial cities

Objectives: High levels of ‘excess’ mortality (ie, that seemingly not explained by deprivation) have been shown for Scotland compared to England and Wales and, especially, for its largest city, Glasgow, compared to the similarly deprived English cities of Liverpool and Manchester. It has been suggested that this excess may be related to differences in ‘Sense of Coherence’ (SoC) between the populations. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether levels of SoC differed between these cities and whether, therefore, this could be a plausible explanation for the ‘excess’. Setting: Three post-industrial UK cities: Glasgow, Liverpool and Manchester. Participants: A representative sample of more than 3700 adults (over 1200 in each city). Primary and secondary outcome measures: SoC was measured using Antonovsky's 13-item scale (SOC-13). Multivariate linear regression was used to compare SoC between the cities while controlling for characteristics (age, gender, SES etc) of the samples. Additional modelling explored whether differences in SoC moderated city differences in levels of self-assessed health (SAH). Results: SoC was higher, not lower, among the Glasgow sample. Fully adjusted mean SoC scores for residents of Liverpool and Manchester were, respectively, 5.1 (−5.1 (95% CI −6.0 to −4.1)) and 8.1 (−8.1 (−9.1 to −7.2)) lower than those in Glasgow. The additional modelling confirmed the relationship between SoC and SAH: a 1 unit increase in SoC predicted approximately 3% lower likelihood of reporting bad/very bad health (OR=0.97 (95% CI 0.96 to 0.98)): given the slightly worse SAH in Glasgow, this resulted in slightly lower odds of reporting bad/very bad health for the Liverpool and Manchester samples compared to Glasgow. Conclusions: The reasons for the high levels of ‘excess’ mortality seen in Scotland and particularly Glasgow remain unclear. However, on the basis of these analyses, it appears unlikely that a low SoC provides any explanation