The relationship between major depression and the salutogenic construc
t of sense of coherence was investigated. The Sense of Coherence scale
and the Beck Depression Inventory were administered to 50 patients di
agnosed with major depressive disorder and to 50 control subjects. Sig
nificant negative correlations were found between scores on Depression
and total scores on the Sense of Coherence scale as well as all three
of its subscales (Comprehensibility, Manageability, and Meaningfulnes
s). A significant positive correlation was found between scores on the
Sense of Coherence scale and age. Of the three subscales, a low score
on Meaningfulness was the best predictor of scores on Depression.