Objectives: The aim of this work was to investigate the health relevant status of sense of coherence (SOC). First, its relation to general health was studied. Secondly, the importance of self-esteem (SE) type, locus of control, 'fighting spirit' and coping style for SOC was explored. It was predicted that SOC has relevance for good health and that active types of self-esteem, together with the other adaptive dispositions, play a role in SOC.
Design: A cross-sectional, retrospective study was used.
Methods: The personality and health questionnaires were administered to 409 undergraduates. The data were analysed using correlations and hierarchical multiple regression methods.
Results: The correlational and regression analyses indicated that SOC has more importance for health than the other more specific adaptive styles. They further revealed that, although negative affect was a main predictor of SOC and health, an active type of SE (a combination of high basic and high earning SE) and locus of control were associated with a high SOC.
Conclusions: It is concluded that SOC has a unique relation to general health, and although SOC strongly reflects affective traits, the concept seems also to mirror more dynamic dispositions, referring to an active self-esteem structure and self-determination.