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Cited by 1,477Health, psychology, and well-beingHealth and Wellbeing ResearchCommunity Health and Development

Antonovsky’s sense of coherence scale and the relation with health: a systematic review

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Eriksson, Monica, Lindström, Bengt·2006·Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
DOI 10.1136/jech.2005.041616PMC PMC2563977
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Abstract

Study objective: The aim of this paper is to synthesise empirical findings on the salutogenic concept sense of coherence (SOC) and examine its capacity to explain health and its dimensions. Design: The study is descriptive and analytical with a systematic integration of the contemporary knowledge base on the salutogenic research published 1992–2003. The review includes 458 scientific publications and 13 doctoral theses. Setting: Worldwide, based on postgraduate scientific publications in eight authorised databases, doctoral theses, and available books. Main results: SOC is strongly related to perceived health, especially mental health. The stronger the SOC the better the perceived health in general, at least for those with an initial high SOC. This relation is manifested in study populations regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, nationality, and study design. SOC seems to have a main, moderating or mediating role in the explanation of health. Furthermore, the SOC seems to be able to predict health. SOC is an important contributor for the development and maintenance of people’s health but does not alone explain the overall health. Conclusion: SOC seems to be a health promoting resource, which strengthens resilience and develops a positive subjective state of health. Salutogenesis is a valuable approach for health promotion and would be worth to implement in practice much more than to date.

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Authors
Eriksson, M., & Lindström, B.
Affiliations
Folkhälsans Forskningscentrum (FI)
Corresponding author
Eriksson, Monica
Venue
Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
Publisher
BMJ
Published
2006-04-13
Volume
60
Issue
5
Pages
376-381
ISSN
  • 0141-7681 (ISSN-L)
  • 0143-005X
  • 1470-2738
DOI
10.1136/jech.2005.041616
PMC
PMC2563977
OpenAlex
W2114488868
Cited by
1,477
References
7
Citations by year
2026: 65 · 2025: 68 · 2024: 70 · 2023: 76 · 2022: 101 · 2021: 107 · 2020: 94 · 2019: 58 · 2018: 80 · 2017: 74 · 2016: 84 · 2015: 92 · 2014: 91 · 2013: 84 · 2012: 85
FWCI
8.73
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
European Commission
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health, psychology, and well-being
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health and Wellbeing Research
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Community Health and Development
Keywords
sense of coherence, salutogenesis, Antonovsky, health perception, mental health, health promotion, resilience, health prediction, subjective well-being
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Attitude to Health, Health Promotion, Health Status, Humans, Internal-External Control, Reproducibility of Results

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