SENSE OF COHERENCE - ITS EFFECTS ON PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESSES PRIOR TO, DURING, AND AFTER A STRESSFUL SITUATION

This study examined whether Antonovsky's (1987) stress-resistance cons truct, sense of coherence (SOC), affected individuals' psychological a nd/or physiological responses to a controlled stressful situation. Sub jects were assessed for SOC level and then completed a battery of ques tionnaires before and after a stressful situation. Physiological respo nses were monitored during baseline, anticipation, and recovery period s. Analyses examined differences among low, middle, and high SOC group s and revealed group differences in psychological distress, cognitive appraisal, coping processes, and pulse rate. These results provide som e support for the validity and utility of Antonovsky's SOC construct b y indicating that low SOC subjects show more distress and appraise and cope with stressful situations in ways less likely to resolve or elim inate their distress.