4/2007Association of Sense of Coherence with DSM-IV mental disorders in a general population sample

WOLFGANG HANNÖVER (Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University of Greifswald, Institute for Medical Psychology)

Background
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Material and methods
Data stem from a representative cross-sectional general population survey in northern Germany. Data from 4 005 subjects who completed the Orientation to Life Questionnaire were available. A computer-assisted personal diagnostic interview was conducted to obtain DSM-IV Axis I disorders.

Results
Individuals with DSM-IV axis I disorders showed lower SOC-scores than those without the respective disorders, also after moderating variables like sex or socio-economic status (OR = 0.97; 95% CI = 0.96–0.97 for lifetime, OR = 0.96; 95% CI = 0.96–0.97 for 12 months). Of the 433 persons with the lowest 10% of the SOC distribution, 214 (49.4%) fulfilled criteria for a 12-month diagnosis while 56 (12.4%) of the subjects with the highest SOC scores did so (.2 = 142.6; df = 1, p < 0,001). Of the 900 persons in the lowest income group, 65 (7.2%) scored in the highest 10% of the SOC distribution and 11 fulfilled 12 months criteria for a diagnosis.

Key words: salutogenesis, sense of coherence, mental disorders, epidemiology