Sense of Coherence and Stress: The Mechanics of a Healthy Disposition

Abstract

Sense of coherence - a disposition towards seeing the world as comprehensible, manageable, and meaningful - has been linked to greater stress-resistance and better health. However, the mechanisms underlying these benefits remain unspecified. Three laboratory studies of undergraduates ( n s = 116, 90, and 52) explored possible perceptual, attributional, and behavioral mechanisms. Findings revealed (1) a perceptual process, which had diffuse and subtle effects on views of stressful events; (2) a behavioral process, which involved more problem-solving and less avoidant coping; and (3) that these processes were tied to coherence, rather than to related (i.e., control) constructs. Data from a community-based, longitudinal field study ( n = 75) verified associations among coherence, coping, and health. Moreover, they yielded a causal model which showed the disposition to both directly impact health status, and to operate indirectly via coping. Implications for the study of other personality dispositions and health are discussed.

Keywords:

• Sense Of Coherence
• Stress
• Coping
• Health