Sense of coherence and its association with exposure to traumatic events, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depression in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Abstract
The Democratic Republic of Congo is the scene of some of the worst atrocities in recent history. However, in the face of traumatic experience, only a minority of people develops symptoms that impair their functioning. The sense of coherence proposed by Antonovsky (1987) is a theoretical construct reflecting an individual's overall wellbeing and ability to cope with stress. This study explores the relationships between sense of coherence, exposure to traumatic events, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression. Results suggest an association between a high sense of coherence and high education levels, high income, and positive social relationships. Furthermore, the study found that sense of coherence is inversely correlated with cumulative exposure to violence and symptoms of PTSD and depression.
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The research results are consistent with Schäfer et al. (2019) and Pham et al. (2010) regarding SOC and PTSD.
“So, the results of this study are consistent with the findings of (Schäfer et al., 2019; Pham et al., 2010).”
From Post-traumatic stress, sense of coherence, and growth after the February earthquake: Evidence from teacher training institute students in Syria (2025) · cites this paper as Pham et al., 2010
People with a high sense of coherence have a protective factor against PTSD.
“studies have shown that people with a high SOC have a protective factor against PTSD (Pham et al., 2010; Kaźmierczak et al., 2011; Behnke et al., 2019; Streb et al., 2014; Schäfer et al., 2019), but not in the context of natural disasters such as earthquakes.”
From Post-traumatic stress, sense of coherence, and growth after the February earthquake: Evidence from teacher training institute students in Syria (2025) · cites this paper as Pham et al., 2010
Cites
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Sense of coherence and health: evidence from two cross-lagged longitudinal samples
Kivimäki, M., Feldt, T., Vahtera, J., & Nurmi, J.-E. (2000) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/s0277-9536(99)00326-3 · Cited by 262 · see citing works
Surtees, P. (2003) · American Journal of Epidemiology · doi:10.1093/aje/kwg272 · Cited by 252 · see citing works
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Betancourt, T. S., Brennan, R. T., Vinck, P., VanderWeele, T. J., Spencer-Walters, D., Jeong, J., Akinsulure-Smith, A. M., & Pham, P. (2016) · PLOS Medicine · doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1002073 · Cited by 84 · see citing works
Self-citationVeronese, G., & Pepe, A. (2014) · American Journal of Orthopsychiatry · doi:10.1037/ort0000025 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Lim, A. G., Stock, L., Shwe Oo, E. K., & Jutte, D. P. (2013) · Conflict and Health · doi:10.1186/1752-1505-7-15 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Persistent LHPA Activation in German Individuals Raised in an Overprotective Parental Behavior
Ullmann, E., Licinio, J., Barthel, A., Petrowski, K., Stalder, T., Bornstein, S. R., & Kirschbaum, C. (2017) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-017-01718-z · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Sarmini, I. M. (2025) · Journal of Indonesian Psychological Science (JIPS) · doi:10.18860/jips.v5i2.36354
- Authors
- Pham, P. N., Vinck, P., Kinkodi, D. K., & Weinstein, H. M.
- Affiliations
- Tulane University (US)
- University of California, Berkeley (US)
- Corresponding author
- Pham, Phuong N.
- Venue
- Journal of Traumatic Stress
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2010-06
- Volume
- 23
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 313-321
- ISSN
- 0894-9867 (ISSN-L)
- 1573-6598
- OpenAlex
- W2013387291
- Cited by
- 52
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 6.25
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Traumatic Stress (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health, psychology, and well-being
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Resilience and Mental Health
- Keywords
- sense of coherence, traumatic events, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, stress coping, socioeconomic factors, interpersonal relationships, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Psychological, Adolescent, Adult, Cross-Sectional Studies, Depression, Female, Humans, Internal-External Control, Male, Middle Aged, Personal Satisfaction, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Violence, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Linear Models, Young Adult
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