Evaluation of the revised sense of coherence scale in a representative German sample

Abstract

Background and objectives To evaluate the Revised Sense of Coherence (SOC-R) scale in a large representative German sample. Design A nationwide household survey involving a total of 2510 face-to-face interviews. Methods In addition to the SOC-R, childhood trauma and maltreatment (CTM), lifetime traumatic events (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, CTQ, and the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5, LEC-5), and mental health (Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ-4) were assessed. Results The final sample consisted of N = 2373 participants (52.3% females; M = 48.24 years). Confirmatory factor analyses confirmed a three-factor structure for the SOC-R (‘manageability’, ‘balance’, ‘reflection’) with acceptable indices (RMSEA .066; 90% CI [.062, .071]). Reliability analyses revealed good internal consistency (α = .87). Construct validity was supported by significant but low correlations with psychopathology. Gender marginally influenced SOC-R (t = 1.99, p = .05). Moderation analyses revealed that SOC-R exerted a protective impact on depression in the context of CTQ (t = 2.29, p < .05) and lifetime traumatic events (t = –2.37, p < .05). Conclusions This study supports the psychometric properties of the SOC-R and emphasizes the importance of considering salutogenic effects to better understand interindividual differences in the effect of adversity.