@Article{info:doi/10.2196/50284,
author="Sebo, Paul
and Tudrej, Benoit
and Bernard, Augustin
and Delaunay, Bruno
and Dupuy, Alexandra
and Malavergne, Claire
and Maisonneuve, Hubert",
title="Validation and Refinement of the Sense of Coherence Scale for a French Population: Observational Study",
journal="Interact J Med Res",
year="2024",
month="Jul",
day="16",
volume="13",
pages="e50284",
keywords="French; sense of coherence; salutogenesis; SOC; Sense of Coherence scale; validation; validscale; well-being; promoting; resilience; validity; reliability; primary care patients; manageability",
abstract="Background: Salutogenesis focuses on understanding the factors that contribute to positive health outcomes. At the core of the model lies the sense of coherence (SOC), which plays a crucial role in promoting well-being and resilience. Objective: Using the validscale Stata command, we aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the French version of the 3-dimension 13-item SOC questionnaire (SOC-13), encompassing the comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness dimensions. We also aimed to determine if a refined scale, assessed through this method, exhibits superior psychometric properties compared to the SOC-13. Methods: A sample of 880 consecutive primary care patients recruited from 35 French practices were asked to complete the SOC-13. We tested for internal consistency and scalability using the Cronbach $\alpha$ and Loevinger H coefficients, respectively, and we tested for construct validity using confirmatory factor analysis and goodness-of-fit indices (root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] and comparative fit index [CFI]). Results: Of the 880 eligible patients, 804 (91.4{\%}) agreed to participate (n=527, 65.6{\%} women; median age 51 years). Cronbach $\alpha$ and Loevinger H coefficients for the SOC-13 were all <0.70 and <0.30, respectively, indicating poor internal consistency and poor scalability (0.64 and 0.29 for comprehensibility, 0.56 and 0.26 for manageability, and 0.46 and 0.17 for meaningfulness, respectively). The RMSEA and CFI were >0.06 (0.09) and <0.90 (0.83), respectively, indicating a poor fit. By contrast, the psychometric properties of a unidimensional 8-item version of the SOC questionnaire (SOC-8) were excellent (Cronbach $\alpha$=0.82, Loevinger H=0.38, RMSEA=0.05, and CFI=0.97). Conclusions: The psychometric properties of the 3-dimension SOC-13 were poor, unlike the unidimensional SOC-8. A questionnaire built only with these 8 items could be a good candidate to measure the SOC. However, further validation studies are needed before recommending its use in research. ",
issn="1929-073X",
doi="10.2196/50284",
url="https://www.i-jmr.org/2024/1/e50284",
url="https://doi.org/10.2196/50284",
url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39012689"
}