Τhe impact of sense of coherence in mental health of elderly

BACKGROUND: Sense Of Coherence" (SOC) is the central idea of Aaron Antonovsky’s concept of salutogenesis. It is used to explain why some people become ill under stress and others stay healthy. OBJECTIVE: To specify sense of coherence (SOC) and the degree of its correlation with mental health in elderly. METHODS: We conducted cross-sectional study in Health Center of Megalopolis. The number of the participants was 100 elderly (n=100). We excluded old suffering from dementia and psychosis. We used 2 questionnaires (SCL-90-R and Sence of Coherence). Data were analysed using SPSS 18.0. FINDINGS: Socio-demographic characteristics of the sample : mean age 71,68 years, 70% women, 50% married, 52% had received mandatory education. Mean score of sense of coherence ( SOC):137 ± SD:26,49. Mean score of SCL-90 : 66,89±6,146, Positive Symptom Total: 0,76±0,51, Global Severity Index: 6,82±17,76, Positive Symptom Distress Index: 1,56±0,51. Sense of coherence score and SCL-90 score are negatively correlated (r= -0,657 , p<0,05). SOC score and SCL-90 indexes score (Positive Symptom Total: r=0,663, p<0,05, Global Severity Index r =-0,639, p<0,05, Positive Symptom Distress Index r = -0,634 p<0,05) are negatively correlated. There is weak or strong association between sense of coherence score and SCL-90 sub-climaxes score . The strongest correlation is between SOC and Depression (r = -0,665 , p<0,05). CONCLUSION: Strong sense of coherence strengthens resilience and drives in prevention of psychological problems in elderly.