Sense of coherence and associated factors among university students in China: cross-sectional evidence.

Janet Junqing Chu,Mobarak Hossain Khan,Alexander Kraemer,Heiko J. Jahn

doi:10.1186/s12889-016-3003-3

Janet Junqing Chu, Mobarak Hossain Khan + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-3003-3

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Abstract

BackgroundSense of Coherence (SOC) is considered as a health-promoting resource; it is mainly developed before the age of 30. The multiple demands university students face, such as study-related stress and financial difficulty, could challenge their SOC development. This study aimed to: 1) investigate the association between SOC, socio-demographic and lifestyle-related characteristics; 2) assess the effect of perceived stress on SOC controlling for other variables among the Chinese university students. Analyses were done to derive a better view on possible strategies to strengthen students’ SOC and with that to promote their health.MethodsThe data used were from a Chinese university student health survey (N = 1,853). Logistic regression analyses were used to explore the effects of varied socio-demographic, lifestyle-related variables on students’ level of SOC, as well as the association between perceived stress and SOC controlling for other variables in the analysis.ResultsBoth social support (OR = 2.56 [1.87–3.50]) and better performance compared with peers (OR = 1.64 [1.15–2.34]) were associated with a stronger SOC. Not feeling isolated at university (OR = 1.60 [1.04–2.47]) and satisfaction with the political situation (OR = 2.05 [1.57–2.67]) were also associated with a stronger SOC. This counts also for high health awareness (OR = 1.40 [1.05–1.87]) and nutrition importance (OR = 1.67 [1.04–2.69]). Perceived stress (OR = 0.81 [0.79–0.83]) was negatively associated with a strong SOC when controlling for socio-demographic and lifestyle-related variables.ConclusionWe suggest integrating stress coping, emotion management training programmes as well as measures promoting social integration for students and teachers at campus, promoting healthy behaviours, and creating a supportive learning environment as strategies for enhancing the SOC level of university students in China.

Highlights

Sense of Coherence (SOC) is considered as a health-promoting resource; it is mainly developed before the age of 30
The majority (73 %) of the students were satisfied with the social support they received
While we found that being not isolated at the university is related to a strong sense of coherence (SOC), some researchers reported that teacher support and inclusive learning environment were associated with lower levels of stress in adolescents [54]

Summary

Introduction

Sense of Coherence (SOC) is considered as a health-promoting resource; it is mainly developed before the age of 30. The multiple demands university students face, such as study-related stress and financial difficulty, could challenge their SOC development. Academic tasks and demands at the university have been considered as a normative source of stress that could challenge the SOC of the students. In a longitudinal study among university students in Israel, Carmel & Bernstein [13] found that the SOC level was negatively associated with work load. Based on Antonovsky [17] during the development of SOC, each new experience of successful stress management reinforces the SOC of the individual, and offers him/her better coping resources to be available in the future tension events.

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