SENSE OF COHERENCE IN OLDER WOMEN WITH CHRONIC HEALTH PROBLEMS (ELDERLY).
Contributors: University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
Published: 1995
Number of pages: 149
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Women's Studies.; Psychology, Developmental.; Psychology, Personality.; Gerontology.
Description: The purpose of this study was to test a conceptual model of proposed relationships between a personality resource called the sense of coherence (SOC), physical health limitation (PHL), illness appraisal (IA), and quality of life (QOL) in women 65 years of age or older. Antonovsky's (1987) Salutogenic model provided the theoretical basis for this study. Central to this model is the sense of coherence. This global personality disposition includes three dimensions that combine to promote the feeling that internal and external stimuli are ordered (comprehensibility), that resources are available to meet demands (manageability), and that demands are worthy challenges (meaningfulness). SOC affects appraisal of potential stressors and directs coping options, leading to more positive resiliency and health outcomes.

For this descriptive, correlational study, a non-probability sample was recruited from a four-county small city/rural are. One hundred and thirty-seven women participated in a 90-minute structured interview. The typical respondent was 76, widowed, with an income less than $12,000, and five chronic health problems. Hierarchical multiple regression and MANCOVA were used to test six hypotheses. A strong ($<$.01) direct, positive relationship was found between SOC and QOL (Beta = .74; $R sp2$ change 51\%). IA was found to have mediating effects on the relationship between SOC and QOL. IA also mediated the relationship between PHL and QOL, such that there was no longer a significant negative effect on QOL from PHL after IA and SOC were taken into account. The total $R sp2$ for the model tested was 66\% (\□it F\/ □= 39.74, \□it p\/ □$<$ .001). Women with stronger SOC reported less PHL and better subjective health (Hotelling's \□it F\/\□lbrack 4,126\rbrack \ = 8.91, \□it p\/ □$<$ .001). The findings of this study help to clarify the relationships among the variables, offer support for the importance of IA, and validate the personality disposition of SOC as being protective of QOL through several pathways. Interventions that address and support the three dimensions of SOC should be developed and tested with this aggregate.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 56-08, Section: B, page: 4243.

Thesis (PH.D.)--THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - MILWAUKEE, 1995.

School code: 0263.