Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC)

Abstract

The Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC) is a widely used psychological instrument developed by Aaron Antonovsky (1987) to operationalize the core concept of his salutogenic theory. The scale measures an individual’s global orientation toward life, reflecting the extent to which they perceive their world as comprehensible, manageable, and meaningful. High scores on the SOC are strongly associated with better health outcomes, enhanced coping mechanisms, and resilience in the face of stressors. The scale exists primarily in two versions: the original 29-item version (SOC-29) and a widely utilized shorter 13-item version (SOC-13).

Keywords

Sense of Coherence, Salutogenesis, Aaron Antonovsky, coping, resilience, health psychology, psychological measurement, stress management, comprehensibility, manageability, meaningfulness.

Authors

Aaron Antonovsky

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Sense of Coherence Scale is to quantify an individual’s dispositional orientation to view life events, stressors, and experiences as structured, predictable, and explicable (comprehensibility); to perceive that resources are available to meet the demands posed by these stimuli (manageability); and to feel that these demands are challenges worthy of investment and engagement (meaningfulness). It serves as a predictive measure of adaptive functioning and health status within the framework of Salutogenesis, focusing on factors that promote health rather than those causing disease.

The scale is commonly employed in epidemiological studies, clinical research, and health promotion initiatives to assess psychological hardiness and resistance resources. It helps researchers understand why some individuals remain healthy despite being exposed to significant stress, making it a crucial tool in preventive and public health research.

Construct

The SOC scale directly measures the construct of Sense of Coherence, which is the central concept of Antonovsky’s salutogenic model. This construct is composed of three interconnected components, each assessed through specific items on the scale:

• Comprehensibility (Cognitive component): The degree to which one perceives internal and external stimuli—such as information, feelings, and challenges—as clear, ordered, consistent, and structured rather than chaotic, random, or inexplicable.
• Manageability (Instrumental/Behavioral component): The extent to which one perceives that resources are available to meet the demands posed by stimuli. This does not necessarily mean having control over everything, but rather believing that appropriate resources (e.g., social support, inner strength, financial means) exist to cope effectively.
• Meaningfulness (Motivational component): The degree to which one feels that life has emotional meaning, and that at least some of the problems and demands faced are worthy of commitment and engagement. This component is considered the most crucial, as it provides the motivation to cope and strive for solutions.

Validity

The validity of the Sense of Coherence Scale has been extensively reviewed across diverse cultures and populations. Systematic reviews, such as that by Eriksson and Lindstrom (2006), generally affirm the scale’s construct validity, demonstrating its ability to measure the theoretical concept of SOC effectively.

Specifically, the scale exhibits strong predictive validity, consistently showing significant correlations with various positive health indicators (e.g., self-rated health, quality of life) and negative correlations with psychological distress (e.g., anxiety, depression). Cross-cultural validation studies, including those in Iranian samples (Mahammadzadeh et al., 2010), support its robust factor structure and confirm its utility as a stable measure of psychological orientation.

Reliability

The SOC scale demonstrates high internal consistency across both the 29-item and 13-item versions in most studies. The original SOC-29 typically yields Cronbach’s alpha values ranging from 0.82 to 0.95, indicating excellent reliability. The shorter SOC-13 version also maintains strong reliability, generally achieving alpha coefficients above 0.70, which is acceptable for research purposes.

Test-retest reliability studies have confirmed the stability of the SOC construct over time, suggesting that the sense of coherence is a relatively enduring personality disposition, though it can be influenced by major life changes or interventions designed to enhance coping resources.

Factor Analysis

Antonovsky proposed that the SOC is a unified, global orientation, suggesting that while it has three distinct components (Comprehensibility, Manageability, and Meaningfulness), the overall scale should primarily load onto a single factor representing the holistic Sense of Coherence. Factor analyses often support this global structure, especially when using the 29-item version.

However, studies using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) have frequently examined the fit of the hypothesized three-factor model versus the single-factor model. While the three dimensions are conceptually distinct, they are highly correlated, often leading to a statistically dominant single factor representing the global Sense of Coherence. Researchers generally agree that the total score provides the most valuable data, although subscale scores can offer insights into specific areas of psychological orientation.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-Report Inventory / Psychological Disposition Scale

Format: Both the SOC-29 and SOC-13 utilize a 7-point Likert-type scale, with anchors varying for each item (e.g., “never have this feeling” to “always have this feeling”). Scoring involves summing the responses, with some items being reverse-coded to ensure high scores consistently reflect a strong Sense of Coherence.

Language Available: Widely translated and validated in numerous languages globally, including but not limited to English, German, Swedish, Hebrew, and Persian.

Population Group: General population, including adolescents, adults, and the elderly.

Age Group: Typically 15 years and older (used extensively with adult populations).

Population Details: Utilized across clinical, non-clinical, and specific occupational groups (e.g., healthcare workers, students, chronic disease patients).

Test Methodology: Paper-and-pencil or digital self-administration. Total scores range from 29 to 203 for the SOC-29, and 13 to 91 for the SOC-13. Higher scores indicate a stronger Sense of Coherence.

Keywords

Psychological assessment, coping resources, health status, stress buffering, preventive medicine, resilience measurement, Antonovsky, SOC-29, SOC-13, self-rated health.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not publicly available for the deceased author (Aaron Antonovsky).

Affiliation Email addresses: Contact information for the original author is not available; inquiries are generally directed toward academic institutions that maintain the scale’s rights (often in Israel or Sweden).

Correspondence Address: Information unavailable.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The original conceptualization and scale development occurred in the context of Aaron Antonovsky’s work, formalized in 1987. The scale is generally considered available for academic and non-commercial research use, though formal permission or licensing may be required depending on the intended use and specific version. Researchers should consult the Antonovsky family or managing institutions for clarity on usage fees and permissions.

Test Year (Initial Publication): 1987

Reference’s

• Antonovsky, A. (1987). Unraveling the mystery of health: How people manage stress and stay well. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
• Antonovsky, A. (1993). The structure and properties of the sense of coherence scale. Social Science & Medicine, 36(6), 725-733.
• Antonovsky, A. (1987, 1997). Sense of Coherence Scale. In: Simmons C. A., Lehmann P. (eds). Tools for strengths-based assessment and evaluation, New York, NY: Springer, pp. 245-250. (2013). Google Scholar
• Eriksson, M., and Lindstrom, B., (2006). Validity of Antonovsky’s sense of coherence scale: a systematic review. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health. 60(5): 376–381.
• Mahammadzadeh, Aliakbar., Poursharifi, Hamid., Alipour, Ahmad. (2010). Validation of Sense of Coherence (SOC) 13-item scale in Iranian sample. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 5, 1451-1455.

The original PDF instrument, used here as source material, can be downloaded here: http://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10539/2171/RandallSJ_AppendixA.pdf;jsessionid=CCDAD2EBF719A785B5B222CCF89AE891?sequence=2

Items of the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC)

The 29-item Sense of Coherence Scale

1.    When you talk to people‚ do you have the feeling they don’t understand you? never have this feeling 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 always have this feeling

2.    In the past‚ when you had to do something which depended upon cooperation with others‚ did you have the feeling that it: surely wouldn’t get done 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 surely would get done

3.    Think of the people with whom you come into contact daily‚ aside from the ones to whom you feel closest. How well do you know most of them? you feel that they’re strangers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 you know them very well

4.    Do you have the feeling that you don’t really care what goes on around you? very seldom or never 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 very often

5.    Has it happened in the past that you were surprised by the behavior of people whom you thought you knew well? never happened 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 always happened

6.    Has it happened that people whom you counted on disappointed you? never happened 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 always happened

7.    Life is: full of interest 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 just routine

8.    Until now your life has had: no clear goals or purpose at all 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 very clear goals and purpose

9.    Do you have the feeling that you’re being treated unfairly? very often 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 very seldom or never

10.In the past 10 years your life has been: full of changes without knowing what will happen next 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 completely consistent and clear

11.Most of the things you do in the future will probably be: completely fascinating 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 deadly boring

12.Do you have the feeling that you’re in an unfamiliar situation and don’t know what to do? very often 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 very seldom or never

13.What best describes how you see life? one can always find a solution to painful things in life 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 there is no solution to painful things in life

14.When you think about your life‚ you very often: feel good to be alive 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ask yourself why you exist at all

15.When you face a difficult problem‚ the choice of a solution is: always confusing and hard to find 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 always completely clear

16.Doing the things you do every day is: a source of deep pleasure and satisfaction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 a source of pain and boredom

17.Your life in the future will probably be: full of changes without knowing what 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 will happen next completely consistent and clear

18.When something unpleasant happened in the past your tendency was: “to eat yourself up” about it 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 to say “ok‚ that’s that‚ I have to live with it” and go on

19.Do you have very mixed-up feelings and ideas? very seldom or never 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 very often

20.When you do something that gives you a good feeling: it’s certain that you’ll go on feeling good 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 it’s certain that something will spoil the feeling

21.Does it happen that you have feelings inside you would rather not feel? very often 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 very seldom or never

22.You anticipate that your personal life in the future will be: totally without meaning or purpose 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 full meaning and purpose

23.Do you think that there will always be people whom you can count on in the future? you’re certain there’ll be 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 you doubt there’ll be

24.Does it happen that you have the feeling that you don’t know exactly what’s about to happen? very often 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 very seldom or never

25.Many people—even those with a strong ch‎aracter—sometimes feel like sad sacks (losers) in certain situations. How often have you felt this way in the past? never 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 very often

26.When something happened‚ you have generally found that: you overestimated or underestimated its importance 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 you saw things in the right proportion

27.When you think of difficulties you are likely to face in important aspects of your life‚ do you have the feeling that: you will always succeed in overcoming the difficulties 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 you won’t succeed in overcoming the difficulties

28.How often do you have the feeling that there’s little meaning in the things you do in your daily life? very often 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 very seldom or never

29.How often do you have feelings that you’re not sure you can keep under control? very often 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 very seldom or never

The 13-item Sense of Coherence Scale

1.    Do you have the feeling that you don’t really care what goes on around you? very seldom or never 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 very often

2.    Has it happened in the past that you were surprised by the behavior of people whom you thought you knew well? never happened 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 always happened

3.    Has it happened that people whom you counted on disappointed you? never happened 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 always happened

4.    Until now your life has had: no clear goals or purpose at all 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 very clear goals and purpose

5.    Do you have the feeling that you’re being treated unfairly? very often 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 very seldom or never

6.    Do you have the feeling that you’re being treated unfairly? very often 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 very seldom or never

7.    Doing the things you do every day is: a source of deep pleasure and satisfaction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 a source of pain and boredom

8.    Do you have very mixed-up feelings and ideas? very seldom or never 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 very often

9.    Do you have very mixed-up feelings and ideas? very seldom or never 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 very often

10.25. Many people—even those with a strong ch‎aracter—sometimes feel like sad sacks (losers) in certain situations. How often have you felt this way in the past? never 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 very often

11.When something happened‚ you have generally found that: you overestimated or underestimated its importance 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 you saw things in the right proportion

12.How often do you have the feeling that there’s little meaning in the things you do in your daily life? very often 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 very seldom or never

13.How often do you have feelings that you’re not sure you can keep under control? very often 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 very seldom or never

Scoring Information:

• SOC-29: Reverse code items 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 13, 14, 16, 20, 23, 25, and 27.
• SOC-29 Subscales:
  • Comprehensibility (Cognitive): items 1, 3, 5, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 21, 24, and 26.
  • Manageability (Instrumental/Behavioral): items 2, 6, 9, 13, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27, and 29.
  • Meaningfulness (Motivational): items 4, 7, 8, 11, 14, 16, 22, and 28.
• SOC-13: Reverse code items 1, 2, 3, 7, and 10.
• SOC-13 Subscales:
  • Comprehensibility (Cognitive): items 2, 8, 6, 9, and 11.
  • Manageability (Instrumental/Behavioral): items 1, 3, 5, 10, and 13.
  • Meaningfulness (Motivational): items 4, 7, and 12.