title: Is sense of coherence a pathway for improving the quality of life of patients who grow up with chronic diseases? A hypothesis.
abstract: A recent study indicated that the quality of life in adult patients with congenital heart disease was better than that of their healthy counterparts. A possible explanation for this is that these patients have a stronger sense of coherence than do their healthy counterparts. This enhanced sense of coherence develops in childhood through the successful application of generalized resistance resources. Here, we advance the hypothesis that sense of coherence may be a potential pathway for improving the quality of life in patients who grow up with a chronic health condition. This hypothesis needs to be tested in long-term longitudinal studies. If such studies can confirm the hypothesis, SOC can be an important target for interventions in childhood to improve patients' quality of life during adulthood.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Services and Nursing Research, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35/4, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. Philip.Moons@med.kuleuven.be
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moons
authors.forename: Tone M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Norekvål
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000523:psychology; D006803:Human Development; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008016:Life Change Events; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009042:Motivation; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D002666:Psychology, Child; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology