Understanding Stability and Change in Psychological Distress and Sense of Coherence: A Four‐Year Prospective Study1 |
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| Authors: | F. Curtis Breslin C. Gail Hepburn Selahadin Ibrahim Donald Cole |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Institute for Work & Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada;2. 2Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Curtis Breslin, Institute for Work & Health, 481 University Avenue, Suite 800, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 2E9. E‐mail:;3. Institute for Work & Health and Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, The University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, Toronto, Ontario, Canada;4. Institute for Work & Health and Department of Public Health Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
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| Abstract: | Concerns have been raised repeatedly regarding the temporal stability of sense of coherence measures and their unusually strong correlations with psychological distress measures. To examine these two issues prospectively in a general population sample, we used a structural equation model (SEM) that hypothesizes a stable and a time‐varying component for the Orientation to Life Questionnaire (OLQ), a measure of sense of coherence, and a distress scale. The stable component underlying distress levels was correlated strongly with the stable component of the OLQ. These findings suggest that the status of sense of coherence as a stable protective factor for health that is independent of known risk factors is not well served by the OLQ. |
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