The validity and latent structure of both versions of the Sense of Coherenc
e Scale (SOCS-29 and SOCS-13) were evaluated here for a French sample (N =
647). The reliability of both SOCS versions was found to be satisfactory an
d their temporal stability, acceptable. The convergent and discriminant val
idity of both versions can be judged positively. Concerning the dimensional
ity of the SOCS, four competing measurement models (three first-order model
s and one second-order model) were tested using the robust statistics provi
ded by Bender's EQS program. The best-fitting model for both versions was a
three-correlated-factor model, initially proposed by Antonovsky, that incl
udes Manageability, Meaningfulness, and Comprehensibility v. However, corre
lations between measurement error on some items were needed to achieve the
model fit. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.