[Factor structure of the SOC scale 13-item version in Japanese university students].
The purpose of the present study was to examine the construct validity of Antonovsky's (1987) sense of coherence scale (SOC) 13-item version, with a sample of Japanese university students. Subjects were 1,110 university students who completed a self-administered questionnaire including items on individual characteristics (age, sex), the Zung self-rating depression scale (SDS) and the SOC scale. Exploratory factor analysis of the SOC scale yielded an interpretable two-factor solution with "comprehensibility-manageability" and "meaningfulness". Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated an a priori defined SOC second-order factor model composed of comprehensibility-manageability and meaningfulness factor to have an acceptable fit (chi-square=327.065, df=64, GFI=0.957, CFI=0.872, RMSEA= 0.061). Moreover, structural equation modeling showed that there are theoretically consistent relationships among individual SOC factors and depression. In particular, the meaningfulness factor proved better predictor of depression than the comprehensibility-manageability factor. These findings support the construct validity of the SOC scale and suggest that two SOC sub scores may provide clinically applicable information, rather than the total score.
Sakano
Junko
J
Okayama Prefectural University, Department of Welfare and Health section.
Yajima
Yuki
Y
D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010551:Personality; D011581:Psychological Tests; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires