title: Weak sense of coherence predicts depression: 1-year and 9-year follow-ups of the Finnish Outcomes of Depression International Network (ODIN) sample.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous studies show conflicting results on the role of weak sense of coherence (SOC) as a risk factor for depression.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this work was to study whether a weak SOC predicts depressive symptoms in a non-depressive population sample in the short or long perspective.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants without depressive symptoms (n = 1645) in the Finnish sample of the Outcomes of Depression International Network (ODIN) study were assessed at 1-year and 9-year follow-up. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and SOC by the 13-item Orientation to Life Questionnaire (SOC-13). Logistic regression analysis was used to test the association between baseline SOC and depressive symptoms measured at the follow-ups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In univariate analysis, there was a significant inverse association between baseline SOC and depressive symptoms at 1 year (p = 0.000) and at 9 years (p = 0.000). In multivariate analysis, weak SOC continued to predict depressive symptoms at 1 year (p = 0.022) and 9 years (p = 0.015).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Weak SOC predicted depressive symptoms in the short and long perspective. It seems likely that a strong SOC represents a protective function, not only absence of current depression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. sinikka.luutonen@tyks.fi
authors.forename: Sinikka
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Luutonen
authors.forename: Britta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sohlman
authors.forename: Raimo K R
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Salokangas
authors.forename: Ville
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lehtinen
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dowrick
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009949:Orientation; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors