The stability of sense of coherence: comparing two age groups in a 5-year follow-up study

Abstract

In the original theoretical formulation, Antonovsky (1987a) proposed that sense of coherence is a developmental construct that becomes stabilized at the age of 30. The present 5-year follow-up study was designed to test this hypothesis by investigating the differences in stability in sense of coherence among two age groups the younger group of which consisted of individuals under and the older group of individuals over 30 years of age. The participants were Finnish technical designers (N=352) of whom 40% (n=141) comprised the younger age group (25–29 years) and 60% (n=211) the older age group (35–40 years). The 13-item Orientation to Life Questionnaire (Antonovsky, 1987a) was used to measure sense of coherence at two time points (years 1992 and 1997). The methodology of the study was based on longitudinal factor analysis models using the LISREL framework. The results were not in line with Antonovsky's theory: more stability in sense of coherence was not found in the older group of subjects compared with the younger group. In fact, age did not play any role in the stability of, level of or mean changes in sense of coherence. Thus, the findings indicate that Antonovsky’s (1987a, 1991) theory is in need of revision regarding the development and stability of sense of coherence in adulthood.