Weak Sense Of Coherence Research Articles

Sense of coherence and factors associated with school performance of adolescents.

School performance is a key aspect for future professional and social success. The objective of the present study was to investigate factors associated with adolescents' school performance including sense of coherence (SOC) and oral health status. Three hundred eighty one schoolchildren between 15 and 18 years of age from the city of Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, participated in the study. The outcome variable was school performance, assessed through the final grades of the Portuguese and Mathematics disciplines in 2013. Independent variables were sociodemographic data, self-perception of oral health, use of dental services and sense of coherence, obtained through a self-applied questionnaire. In addition, in a clinical assessment, the number of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT index) was evaluated. Logistic regression analyses were performed, based on a hierarchical model. The mean age of students was 16 years; mean DMFT value 4.1, and SOC 44.5. In the final adjustment, the male subjects (p = 0.0021); those with the largest number of people residing at home (p = 0.0021) and weak SOC (p = 0.0005) showed an association with poorer school performance. In conclusion, school performance is a complex phenomenon associated with SOC and oral characteristics.

Association between sense of coherence and untreated dental caries in preschoolers: a cross-sectional study

The aim of the present study was to evaluate factors associated with the clinical consequences of untreated dental caries in children attending public and private preschools. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a complex, preschool-based sample of 769 children, 5 years of age, from public and private preschools in the city of Campina Grande, Brazil. Clinical examinations to diagnose the consequences of untreated caries were performed using the criteria of the pufa index (p - pulp exposure; u - ulceration caused by movement of tooth fragments; f - fistula; a - abscess). The psychological factor evaluated was parental/caregiver sense of coherence (SOC), which was determined using a validated assessment tool. Sociodemographic characteristics and the use of dental services were also considered. Two examiners were trained to examine the clinical consequences of untreated dental caries. The kappa statistic demonstrated a high level of agreement for the conditions evaluated. Descriptive analysis was performed, followed by the use of an inductive decision tree (J48 algorithm; α=5%). The factors associated with the clinical consequences of untreated dental caries were toothache [prevalence ratio (PR)=12.34; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 7.87-19.35; P<0.001], attending a public preschool (PR=2.38; 95% CI: 1.83-3.09; P<0.001), parents/caregivers younger than 30years of age (PR=1.45; 95% CI: 1.26-1.68; P<0.001), parents/caregivers with more than two children (PR=1.47; 95% CI: 1.28-1.69; P<0.001) and parents/caregivers with a weak SOC (PR=1.13; 95% CI: 1.01-1.28; P=0.043). The prevalence of clinical consequences of untreated dental caries was low in the present sample and was associated with sociodemographic factors (type of preschool, caregiver's age and number of children in the family) as well as psychological factors (SOC).

Sense of coherence and work-related patterns of behavior and experience among faculty nurse educators in Egypt

Background: Nursing education is associated with high intensity work and potential burnout. Sense of coherence mitigates the effect of job stress and enhances work wellness. This study aims to identify work-related patterns of behavior and experience among nurse educators and examine the independent relationship between sense of coherence and workplace behavior patterns.Methods: The study used a cross-sectional descriptive design and a sample of 130 nurse educators teaching in the Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Egypt. The nurse educators completed questionnaires measuring sense of coherence and work-related patterns of behavior and experience.Results: Discriminant analysis delineated four work behavior patterns: healthy (16.2%), frugal (1.5%), overburdened (68.5%), and burnout (13.8%). Sense of coherence was positively associated with the healthy work pattern (r = .66, p &lt; .001), and negatively associated with the burnout (r = -.63, p &lt; .001) and overburdened (r = -.18, p &lt; .05) patterns. Regression analyses, controlling for years of teaching experience, indicated that a weak sense of coherence was associated with classification of nurse educators into the overburdened work pattern (B = -.05, SE = .12, Wald χ2 = 13.13, p &lt; .001) and the burnout work pattern (B = -.10, SE = .02, Wald χ2 = 21.52, p &lt; .001) compared to healthy work pattern.}Conclusions: The study findings highlight the importance of sense of coherence as a health-promoting resource in the workplace. Strategies are discussed for creating meaningful work experiences to reinforce a sense of coherence and simultaneously cultivate work-related wellness among nurse educators.

Association between computer game type, playing time and sense of coherence in Lithuanian adolescents

As an excessive gaming is the addiction of the 21th century, purpose of our study was to investigate how sense of coherence interacts with gaming time, choice of various games types, age and gender characteristics. Our task was to evaluate relationship between computer gaming and an adolescent's sense of coherence. A cross-sectional study based on a self-reported questionnaire was performed among the representative samples of 1,806 adolescents aged 13-18 years. Adolescents reported the amount of time spent gaming computer games, types of games, as well as sense of coherence. The relations between the choice of computer games type, time spent gaming computer games and sense of coherence of respondents were assessed by odds ratio using multivariate regression analysis. 32.9% of boys and 81.1% of girls reported gaming computer games less than 5 hours per day during the last month (p < 0.001). 30.9% of boys and 4.1% of girls reported gaming computer games more than 10 hours per day during the last month (p < 0.001). Boys and girls aged 13-15 with a weak sense of coherence had significantly higher probability to play action or combat computer games for 5 or more hours per day in comparison to the respondents who had a strong sense of coherence. Also, this probability was 2 times higher among boys than among girls. Sense of coherence is a useful tool to identify adolescents who are at risk of excessive gaming. Game playing time is linked to the sense of coherence. Adolescent with a weak sense of coherence had a higher probability to play more times, especially in younger age.

A strong sense of coherence associated with reduced risk of anxiety disorder among women in disadvantaged circumstances: British population study

ObjectiveMany patients receiving medical treatment for anxiety relapse or do not improve. Research has therefore been turning to coping mechanisms as a way to decrease anxiety rates. Previously, we showed...

Influence of sense of coherence on oral health-related quality of life: a systematic review.

The aim of the present study was to perform a systematic review of the literature for scientific evidence regarding the association between a sense of coherence (SOC) and oral health-related of quality of life (OHRQoL). Electronic searches were performed in five databases. Manual searches were also performed. To be included, studies needed to address the relationship between SOC and OHRQoL. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa scales for cross-sectional and cohort studies and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale for clinical trials. Seven cross-sectional studies, four cohort studies, and one clinical trial were included in the present review. Two independent reviewers selected the studies, extracted that data, and performed the evaluations of methodological quality based on the standardized scales. The majority of authors found a significant association between a weak SOC and greater impact on OHRQoL, but some methodological flaws were found in the execution of the studies. Based on the analysis of the studies included in the present systematic review, there is scientific evidence that a sense of coherence exerts an influence on oral health-related quality of life, but further population-based studies are needed to confirm such evidence.

Radzenie sobie ze stresem a poczucie koherencji u kobiet z żarłocznością psychiczną – badanie wstępne

The research aimed at searching for the relationship between the ways of coping with stress and the sense of coherence in women suffering from bulimia nervosa. The study comprised 36 women with bulimia nervosa according to the ICD-10 criteria, as well as 46 healthy women, constituting the control group. The members of both groups were not substantially different considering their age, their marital status, and their education. In the study, the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS) by Endler and Parker was used alongside the Life Orientation Questionnaire (SOC-29) by Antonovsky. When coping with stress, women with bulimia nervosa use the emotional style and the avoiding style in the form of undertaking substitutive activities significantly more frequently than healthy women, and they use the task-oriented style significantly less frequently. Women suffering from bulimia are characterized with a substantially weaker sense of coherence, both in the total result and in particular dimensions. The research confirmed the partially accepted hypotheses concerning the interrelation between the ways of coping with stress and the sense of coherence of the participants. In the group of women with bulimia, the task-oriented style correlates positively with the feeling of comprehensibility, whereas the emotional style correlates negatively with the general sense of coherence as well as its particular dimensions. The avoiding style of coping with stress in the form of undertaking substitutive actions correlates negatively with the sense of comprehensibility and the sense of meaningfulness, as well as with the total SOC in women suffering from bulimia nervosa. The received results can constitute the basis for further analyses aiming at searching for interrelations between different dimensions of the psychosocial functioning of people with eating disorders.

The mechanisms behind the formation of a strong Sense of Coherence (SOC): The role of migration and integration.

Considering how much we know about the impact of the Sense of Coherence (SOC) on different health-related outcomes, we know surprisingly little about how a strong SOC actually develops. In this study we examine the mechanisms behind the formation of a strong SOC and study the role of migration, integration and general resistance resources (GRRs) in this process. We held 46 life-story interviews with women of Turkish, Moroccan and Surinamese descent. We divided the respondents in a relatively strong and weak SOC group in order to discern patterns of life experiences associated with SOC development. We find that, as Antonovsky predicted, experiencing consistency and load balance are associated with a strong SOC. In opposition to Antonovsky's claims, decision making power is not a necessary condition to develop meaningfulness. Moreover, the women's life narratives show that migration and integration are related to the mechanisms shaping SOC, yet, the impact is subjective and depends on the availability and use of GRRs. Our findings provide improvements to Antonovsky's salutogenic theory and provide suggestions for interventions aimed at strengthening SOC.

Sense of coherence as a coping mechanism for women with anxiety living in deprivation: a cohort study in the British population

BackgroundTargeting people's coping mechanisms may represent a method of reducing anxiety rates. Previously, we showed that living in a deprived area significantly increases the risk of generalised anxiety disorder in women, but not in men. The aim of this study was to assess whether sense of coherence (coping mechanism) mitigates the influence of area deprivation on women's risk of generalised anxiety disorder. MethodsWe used data from the EPIC-Norfolk study. 30 445 men and women over the age of 40 were recruited through general practice registers in England. Of these, 11 820 women and 9101 men completed a structured health and lifestyle questionnaire used to assess generalised anxiety disorder (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition) and sense of coherence. Scores of sense of coherence component constructs were summed to create a final measure ranging from 1 to 6, where scores lower than 2 represent a strong sense of coherence. Census data for 1991 were used to measure area deprivation, and sense of coherence and anxiety were assessed in 1996–2000. 10 185 women had complete data on covariates. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between area deprivation and generalised anxiety disorder, and stratification by (and interaction with) sense of coherence was performed. The study was approved by the Norfolk Ethics Committee (98CN01); participants gave written informed consent. Findings261 (2·6%) of 10 185 women had generalised anxiety disorder. There was no interaction between sense of coherence and generalised anxiety disorder (p=0·23). In those with a strong sense of coherence, area deprivation was not significantly associated with anxiety after controlling for sociodemographics, and medical and psychiatric history (odds ratio 1·29, 95% CI 0·77–2·18; p=0·34). However, among women with a weak sense of coherence, those living in deprived areas had a 98% higher likelihood of having generalised anxiety disorder than those living in more affluent areas, in a fully-adjusted model (1·98, 1·35–2·92; p=0·0005). InterpretationMany women live in deprived conditions worldwide, and substantial numbers are affected by generalised anxiety disorder. A key message is that deprivation needs to be addressed worldwide for many reasons. Understanding and strengthening coping mechanisms as a way to reduce anxiety is an important area for attention—both in research and in public health practice. Our findings might not be generalisable to extremely deprived areas. FundingThis work was supported by the UK Medical Research Council (grant number SP2024-0201 and SP2024-0204) and Cancer Research UK (grant number G9502233). OR received a PhD studentship from the National Institute for Health Research.

Perceived social support and the sense of coherence in patient-caregiver dyad versus acceptance of illness in cancer patients.

Acceptance of illness is a significant determinant of further coping with a disease. Development of illness acceptance may be associated with the sense of coherence and perception of social support. Cancer is an example of a crisis situation, which affects both the patient and his/her close relatives. Consequently, acceptance of illness may be influenced by factors originating from both sides of caregiver-patient dyad. The aim of this study was to analyse direct and indirect interrelationships between perceived support and the sense of coherence in patient-caregiver dyad, and acceptance of illness in cancer patients. Cross-sectional study. The study included 80 dyads composed of cancer patients and their caregivers. Only cancer patients undergoing oncological treatment at the time of the study, for at least 3months but no longer than 12months, were enrolled. All subjects completed perceived support subscale included in the Berlin Social Support Scales, sense of coherence-29 questionnaire to determine the sense of coherence and Acceptance of Illness Scale. Compared to cancer patients, their caregivers presented with significantly lower levels of perceived social support and weaker sense of coherence. The sense of coherence in caregivers and patients was determined by their perceived support levels. The sense of coherence in caregivers turned out to be a key resource influencing acceptance of illness in cancer patients, both directly and indirectly, via their perceived social support and their sense of coherence. The sense of coherence, an intrinsic psychological factor determined by social support, is an important determinant of illness acceptance. Functioning of cancer patients is also modulated by psychosocial characteristics of their caregivers. Greater support offered to caregivers may substantially strengthen the sense of coherence in caregivers and cancer patients and, therefore, may improve the functioning of patient-caregiver dyad in a situation of neoplastic disease.

Who often feels lonely? A cross-sectional study about loneliness and its related factors among older home-dwelling people.

To investigate the prevalence of individuals who often feel lonely among a sample of Norwegian older home-dwelling people aged ≥65 years old, as well as to identify any possible factors explaining their loneliness. Loneliness is known to be common among older people. To identify those older adults who are lonely, and to acquire knowledge about the complexity of their loneliness, is important to provide them with adequate help and support. This study employed a cross-sectional design. A questionnaire was mailed to a randomised sample of 6,033 older home-dwelling persons aged ≥65years. A total of 2,052 persons returned the questionnaire and were included in the study. The questionnaire consisted of questions asking whether the subjects often felt lonely or not, as well as health-related and background questions and instruments to measure the participants' sense of coherence, mental problems, nutritional screening and self-care ability. The data were analysed using univariate and multivariate statistical methods. A total of 11.6% of the participants reported often feeling lonely. Six factors emerged to be independently associated with often feeling lonely among the respondents: Living alone, not being satisfied with life, having mental problems, a weak sense of coherence, not having contact with neighbours and being at risk for undernutrition. The study shows that often feeling lonely among older home-dwelling persons is a health-related problem that includes social, psychological and physical aspects. Moreover, these persons have limited resources to overcome feelings of loneliness. Lasting loneliness among older home-dwelling persons requires an overall, person-centred and time-consuming approach by nurses. Nurses with advanced knowledge on geriatric nursing may be required to offer appropriate care and support. Healthcare leaders and politicians should offer possibilities for adequate assessment, support and help.

The relationship between internalized stigma and quality of life among people with mental illness: are self-esteem and sense of coherence sequential mediators?

PurposeTo elucidate the mechanism through which internalized stigma reduces the quality of life (QoL) of people with mental illness by exploring the mediating roles of self-esteem and sense of coherence (SOC).MethodsA cross-sectional analysis of 229 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia or affective disorders was undertaken to test a sequential mediation model assuming that more severe internalized stigma is related to lower self-esteem, which is associated with weaker SOC, which in turn relates to worse QoL.ResultsThe proposed model was supported by the data. A sequential indirect effect from internalized stigma to QoL via self-esteem and SOC turned out to be significant [beta = −0.06, SE = 0.02; 95% CI (−0.11, −0.03)]. Support was also found for simple mediation models with either self-esteem or SOC as single mediators between internalized stigma and QoL.ConclusionsSelf-esteem and SOC are personal resources that should be considered as potential targets of interventions aiming to prevent the harmful consequences of internalized stigma for the QoL of people receiving psychiatric treatment.

ПРОГРАМА ПСИХОЛОГІЧНОЇ ДОПОМОГИ ПІДЛІТКАМ ІЗ ВРОДЖЕНИМИ ВАДАМИ СЕРЦЯ

У статті представлена схема та принципи психологічної допомоги підліткам із вродженими вадами серця (ВВС). У дослідженні взяли участь 25 підлітків з ВВС віком 13 – 15 років, з підвищеним у них рівнем тривоги, ознаками депресії та слабким почуттям когеренції. Психокорекційні заходи охоплювали від 5 до 10 індивідуальних консультацій з підлітками та окремо з батьками. Психокорекційна програма складалась з елементів раціональної та когнітивно-біхевіоральної терапії, включала розбір складних життєвих та клінічних ситуацій (кейсів), аутогенне тренування та елементи кардіо- та психоосвіти. Програма виявилась ефективною у всіх підлітків з ВВС – вдалося нормалізувати рівень тривожності та у переважної більшості ліквідувати ознаки депресії. Крім того, протягом півроку вдалось сприяти розвитку та підвищенню почуття когеренції серед підлітків з ВВС.

Preoperative sense of coherence associated with the 10-year outcomes of lumbar spinal stenosis surgery.

A prospective 10-year follow-up study was conducted to determine the significance of the preoperative sense of coherence, with respect to the preoperative and 10-year clinical characteristics, among lumbar spinal stenosis patients ( N = 99). In addition, the predictive value of the preoperative sense of coherence regarding the 10-year surgery outcome was also evaluated. In a logistic regression analysis, a weak preoperative sense of coherence and low functional ability predicted the patients' functional ability 10 years after the surgery. Moreover, those patients with weak sense of coherence before surgery showed poorer functional ability 10 years after the surgery, but not preoperatively. A weak preoperative sense of coherence seems to associate with poorer long-term outcome after surgery; therefore, various rehabilitation strategies are discussed.

Characteristics associated with initiation of hormone replacement therapy among Finnish women: A register-linkage study

ObjectiveTo investigate which patient characteristics are associated with the initiation of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in a cohort of Finnish women. Study designResponses to postal questionnaires distributed to a nationwide, randomly selected cohort of women in 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2010 were analyzed. The cohort members were aged 40–44 years at the beginning of the study. Information on hormone replacement therapy was received from the national prescription register. Women who started taking HRT between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2011 were included and previous users were excluded from the analysis. Main outcome measuresInitiation of HRT was the main outcome measure. The following explanatory factors for predicting the use of HRT were examined: sociodemographic factors, personality, health behavior, physiological and mental symptoms, chronic diseases and use of psychopharmaceuticals. The associations between starting HRT and the explanatory factors were analyzed with single-predictor and multi-predictor logistic regression models. ResultsFactors predicting that a woman would start taking HRT were: living with a partner, weak sense of coherence, BMI less than 30kg/m2, heavy or moderate alcohol use, symptoms of hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system, climacteric symptoms and use of psychopharmaceuticals. ConclusionsWomen with a good sense of coherence can cope with climacteric symptoms without resorting to HRT. Clinicians need to bear in mind the burden of menopausal symptoms on a woman’s personal and working life when HRT is being considered.

Sense of coherence and periodontal health outcomes

Objective: Sense of Coherence (SOC) has been associated with perceived oral health measures, but the contribution of SOC to clinical measures is still unclear. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to evaluate the potential association between periodontal health outcomes, such as periodontal clinical parameters and perceived periodontal health, and SOC. Materials and methods: The study sample comprised 276 individuals, aged 18–60 years, from Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Participants answered questionnaires covering sociodemographic variables, self-perceived periodontal health and SOC. Full-mouth periodontal examinations were performed. The sample was divided into three groups according to SOC score: (a) SOC1 = weak (24–46); (b) SOC2 = moderate (47–51); (c) SOC3 = strong (52–65). Multivariate analyses including appropriate logistic or linear regression models were performed to evaluate the association between periodontal health outcomes and biological, sociodemographic and behavioural variables. Results: Perceived general oral health was associated with family income bracket (p = 0.010), smoking (p = 0.004), dental flossing (p = 0.017) and SOC (weak SOC: p = 0.005). Perceived gum disease and perceived periodontal disease were associated with SOC (weak SOC: p = 0.001 and p = 0.015, respectively). Conclusions: Overall, perceived periodontal health outcomes were associated with SOC. However, no association between clinical periodontal health outcomes and SOC were observed.

Relationship between Sense of Coherence and oral health in adults and elderly Brazilians.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between Sense of Coherence (SOC) and oral health clinical variables (number of teeth present and absence of need for dental prostheses). The sample consisted of 720 adults and elderly Brazilians. The data were collected at home using the SOC-13 scale - a form of clinical examination for the evaluation of oral conditions - and a questionnaire evaluating socioeconomic aspects and the use of dental services. Statistical analysis, both univariate and multivariate, was performed by Poisson regression with robust variance adjustment. The average age of the participants was 60.2 years, and they were predominantly female (57.8%). Among the participants who had a strong SOC, the absence of the need for dental prostheses was 34% higher than among those with a weak SOC, demonstrating a significant difference between the groups (PR = 1.34, 95%CI = 1.06-1.70; p = 0.015). Individuals who had a strong SOC had a 5% higher prevalence of 14 or more existing teeth than those with a weak SOC, which was statistically significant after adjustment for co-factors (PR = 1.05, 95%CI = 1.01-1.11, p = 0.033). A strong personal Sense of Coherence has a beneficial influence on the oral health of adults and older people in Brazil.

The Effect of Job Demands and Social Support on Peacekeepers’ Stress and Sense of Coherence After Deployment

Abstract This study investigated how experienced demands of the job and the social support during operations were related to psychological well-being after deployment. The data was collected from 817 Finnish peacekeepers returning home between 2012 and 2014 from altogether over 10 different operations of which the most common were ISAF (Afghanistan) and UNIFIL (Lebanon). Experiencing less social support and more job-related demands was related to higher stress and weaker sense of coherence after deployment, even though overall level of emotional difficulties after deployment was low. These results suggest that there may be health gains to achieve in improved social support and balancing job demands during operation. Given the highly hierarchical organization of the military, role of leadership is essential in both establishing social support and balancing the job demands.

Cognitive and executive functions, social cognition and sense of coherence in adults with fetal alcohol syndrome

Background: Primary disabilities in children with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) are the results of alcohol's teratogen effect on the fetal brain. Reduced cognitive and executive functions and social cognition are examples of such disabilities. Little is known about primary disabilities in adults with FAS as well as their sense of coherence (SoC). There is thus a need for knowledge about FAS in adulthood. Aims: To investigate cognitive and executive functions, social cognition and SoC in adults with FAS. Methods: Twenty adults with FAS (mean age: 30 years) were compared with 20 individuals matched on gender and age. Berg's Card-sorting Test-64, the Tower of Hanoi, Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices, Digit Span, Faux Pas and the Swedish version of Antonovsky's Sense of Coherence Scale (SoC-29) were used. Results: The FAS group had a weak SoC and displayed deficits in the neuropsychological tests sensitive to cognitive and executive functions and social cognition. The FAS group's median SoC score was 112, lower than the comparison group's median of 133 (P < 0.001). The FAS group had median scores of 29.0 on Raven's Matrices. The median for Digit Span was 5 forwards and 3 backwards, lower than in the comparison group (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Reduced cognitive and executive functions and impaired social cognition are assumed to have a major impact on life for adults with FAS. We suggest that the findings showing that adults with FAS had a weak SoC, with particularly low scores on the manageability scale, reflect their experiences of living with those primary disabilities. Clinical implications: This study may enhance healthcare for individuals prenatally exposed to alcohol. In general, it contributes with knowledge about this group of individuals who need to be more visible in healthcare, and particularly, it demonstrates some of the neuropsychological disabilities they might have.

Burden, Health and Sense of Coherence among Relatives of Depressed Inpatients

In Europe, there are an increasing number of persons suffering from depression, which also affects many relatives. The burden and health when being the relative of an inpatient suffering from severe depression has been less examined. The aim of the study was to describe burden, health and sense of coherence among relatives of inpatients with severe depression. Furthermore, the aim was to investigate relatives’ burden in relation to their health and sense of coherence. A cross-sectional design was performed, with a questionnaire consisting of background questions and three instruments; Burden Assessment Scale, General Health Questionnaire and Sense of Coherence scale. The participants consisted of 68 relatives recruited from a sample of inpatients diagnosed with depression in the psychiatric specialist health services in one hospital trust in Norway. The Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics, Norway South East, gave approval to the study. The relatives reported burden to a various degree, with some reporting a significantly greater burden, poorer health and a weaker sense of coherence than others. With regard to subjective burden eight out of ten relatives reported “Worry about future”, and almost six out of ten were “Upset by change in patient”. Regarding objective burden, more than half the relatives reported having “Less time for friends” and “Reduced leisure time”. In conclusion the relatives with a high level of burden reported more mental distress, poorer health and weaker sense of coherence than those with lower level of burden. Further research should focus on identification of factors predicting burden and health of relatives of inpatients with severe depression.