Sense of coherence as a predictor of subjective state of health - Results of 4 years of follow-up of adults

A number of cross-sectional population studies have shown that a strong sen se of coherence (SOC) is associated with various aspects of good perceived health. The association does not seem to be entirely attributable to underl ying associations of SOC with other variables, such as age or level of educ ation. Objective: The aim of the study reported here was to determine wheth er SOC predicted subjective state of health. Methods: The study was carried out as a two-way panel mail survey of 1976 individuals with 4 years interv al for two collections of data. The statistical method used was multivariat e cumulative logistic modeling. Age, initial subjective state of health, in itial occupational training level, and initial degree of social integration were included as potential explanatory variables. Results: A strong SOC pr edicted good health in women and men. Conclusions: SOC can be interpreted a s an autonomous internal resource contributing to a favorable development o f subjective state of health. SOC data should, however, be regarded as comp lementary to and not a substitute for information already known to be assoc iated with increased risk of future ill health. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science I nc. All rights reserved.