Factors contributing to sense of coherence among men and women.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of four key areas of resistance resources (GRR), i.e. childhood living conditions, work and family life, and social relationships, with sense of coherence (SOC) among Finnish men and women. A particular interest was devoted to interactions between sex and GRR.


METHODS
The data derived from a representative personal interview survey collected by Statistics Finland in 1994 (N=8650, response rate 73%). This study included ages 25-64 (N=6506, 49% women). The associations of age, educational attainment, childhood living conditions, work and family, and social relationships with SOC were analysed using ordinary regression analysis.


RESULTS
Among both men and women, psycho-emotional resources rather than socio-economic circumstances were associated with SOC. These resources included the quality of the relationship with partner, social support, quality of work, and childhood living conditions. Although sex differences were small, the association of living without a partner with low SOC was stronger among men than women.


CONCLUSIONS
SOC is strongly associated with the psycho-emotional resistance resources. In the Finnish context, the SOC scale was largely sex neutral.
Volanen
Salla-Maarit
SM
Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Finland. salla.volanen@helsinki.fi
Lahelma
Eero
E
Silventoinen
Karri
K
Suominen
Sakari
S
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003625:Data Collection; D004493:Education; D004644:Emotions; D004651:Employment; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D012649:Self Concept; D012723:Sex; D012737:Sex Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D012938:Social Perception; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014937:Work