Sense of coherence and health: evidence from two cross-lagged longitudinalsamples

We explored the stability of sense of coherence (SOC) and the relationship between SOC and health in two cross-lagged longitudinal samples by using st ructural equation modeling. In Study 1, comprising 577 municipal male and f emale employees, SOC was found to be stable, in both sexes. In women, SOC s ignificantly predicted sickness absences in the 4-year follow-up period. A low SOC, but not a high SOC, was associated with health prospects. Surprisi ngly, SOC did not influence sickness absences among men. Study 2 further te sted the relationship between SOC and health in 320 male technical designer s. Although SOC was cross-sectionally associated with psychological and som atic health complaints, it did not predict later health complaints in a 5-y ear follow-up. Thus, the present study supports the dispositional character of SOC in both sexes and its predictive validity among women. No support w as found to the salutogenic status of SOC and an unexpected gender differen ce was revealed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.