title: Psychometric properties of Antonovsky's 29-item Sense of Coherence scale in research on older home-dwelling Norwegians.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to test the homogeneity and construct validity of the Sense of Coherence 29-item scale (SOC-29) among older home-dwelling Norwegians.
  
  
  METHODS
  A postal questionnaire, consisting of background variables, five health-related questions, the SOC-29, and three other instruments measuring mental health, self-care ability, and risk for undernutrition, was sent to 6033 home-dwelling older people (65+ years) in southern Norway. A total of 2069 participants were included. Homogeneity was assessed with Cronbach's alpha coefficient and item-to-total correlations. The construct validity was assessed with "the known-groups technique," a linear stepwise regression analysis with SOC score serving as the dependent variable and with confirmatory factor analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.91 and statistically significant item-to-total correlations, the SOC-29 was found to be homogeneous. Construct validity was supported because the SOC-29 could separate known groups with expected high and low scores. The factors that could predict SOC were mental health, self-care ability, feeling lonely, being active, and chronic disease or handicap. Evidence of construct validity was displayed in a confirmatory factor analysis that confirmed SOC-29 as one theoretical construct with the three dimensions, comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Norwegian version of the SOC-29 is a reliable and valid instrument for use in research among older people. The results confirm that SOC has a particularly strong relationship with mental health and self-care ability.
authors.affiliation: Center for Caring Research - Southern Norway, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Grimstad, Norway ulrika.soderhamn@uia.no.
authors.forename: Ulrika
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Söderhamn
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Welfare and Occupational therapy, Diakonhjemmet University College, Sandnes, Norway.
authors.forename: Kari
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sundsli
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Health and Culture, University West, Trollhättan, Sweden.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cliffordson
authors.affiliation: Center for Caring Research - Southern Norway, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Grimstad, Norway.
authors.forename: Bjørg
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dale
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D009664:Norway; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology; D060685:Sense of Coherence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Construct validity; homogeneity; reliability; scale testing; validity