Changes in Sense of Coherence, Mental Distress and Satisfaction with Life and Studies in the Course of Psychosocial Counselling

Abstract

"Sense of coherence" (SOC) plays an essential role in the maintenance or recovery of health, according to the salutogenetic approach of Aaron Antonovsky. Empirical studies provide evidence of significant links between sense of coherence and different indicators of mental health. In the present study, the effectivity of an integrative counselling concept for the promotion of sense of coherence, reduction of mental distress and improvement of satisfaction with life was tested in a sample of 153 clients and patients. Correlations of SOC with mental distress and satisfaction with life and studies indicate a strong association. After psychosocial counselling according to the integrative ABCDE-model, significant pre-/post- changes with moderate to high effect sizes could be achieved. These findings bring important implications for the modifiability of the sense of coherence and provide evidence that the integrative ABCDE-model of psychosocial counseling might be effective. Correlations between ratings of the dimensions of the model and pre-/post changes are discussed.