“Hope” Makes Sense in Eritrean Sense of Coherence, but “Loser” Does Not

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Sense of Coherence scale, short form (SOC-13), was translated and adapted for use in nine languages of Eritrea with a total of 265 study participants (162 women and 103 men). While most items of the scale translated well, Item 10, which asked how often the respondent felt like a “sad sack” or “loser” in the past, presented a problem for all Eritrean languages. The concept of “loser” (other than literally on the battlefield) made little or no sense in Eritrea, but the concepts of “hope” and “loss of hope” conveyed the intended meaning of the SOC scale. Qualitative data gathered during the respondents' “interrogation” of the scale led to the hypothesis that satisfaction derived from daily activity (Item 7 of the scale) is a key protector against “loss of hope” (Item 10). Scores on these two items were analyzed by participants' gender and displacement status or settlement type. Item 7 scores increased significantly with Item 10 scores for women (p < .0005) but not for men. Women derived satisfaction from their daily work of child rearing, while men derived satisfaction from paid work, but this was not significantly associated with hope. The resilience of women in internally displaced person camps is put to the test most relentlessly due to the unresolved political climate in the region. The implications of the study findings for policy and practice with respect to psychosocial support for women in Eritrea are considered.