Randall, Susan Jane2007-03-012007-03-012007-03-01http://hdl.handle.net/10539/2171Student Number : 8609483Y - MA Dissertation - School of Human and Community Development - Faculty of HumantiesThis study undertook to investigate the validity of the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC Scale) for use in South Africa. The scale was developed by Antonovsky (1987) and is widely used in stress and health research. It measures three components: meaningfulness, comprehensibility, and manageability, which Antonovsky posited as being central to a person’s sense of coherence (SOC), which in turn facilitates coping and personal resilience. The current research utilised two samples, namely a group of disabled individuals and a group of undergraduate psychology students. It found that while the SOC Scale is indeed a useful psychometric instrument within a South African context, it would be advisable to develop a modified version of the scale for local use. Factor analysis suggested that a three-factor solution is more appropriate than a one-factor solution, a finding which is congruent with Antonovsky’s theory. Suggestions are made for modifications to some of the original 29 items, as well as the subscales, of the SOC Scale.9933 bytes19918 bytes54340 bytes23862 bytes60461 bytes9845 bytes133032 bytes176653 bytes220902 bytes11614 bytes11450 bytes10988 bytes52870 bytes12996 bytes14687 bytes17331 bytes33474 bytes10719 bytesapplication/pdfapplication/pdfapplication/pdfapplication/pdfapplication/pdfapplication/pdfapplication/pdfapplication/pdfapplication/pdfapplication/pdfapplication/pdfapplication/pdfapplication/pdfapplication/pdfapplication/pdfapplication/pdfapplication/pdfapplication/pdfenSense of coherencesalutogenesisAntonovskyvalidation studymeaningfulnessresiliencestresscopinghealthdisabilityThesis