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Can the Big Five explain the criterion validity of Sense of Coherence for mental health, life satisfaction, and personal distress?
[journal article]
Abstract Objective: Several studies have demonstrated a strong overlap in variance between the salutogenic construct Sense of Coherence (SOC) and the Big Five personality traits, yet the unique contributions of these overlapping constructs remain debated. Specifically, the statistical association between SOC... view more
Objective: Several studies have demonstrated a strong overlap in variance between the salutogenic construct Sense of Coherence (SOC) and the Big Five personality traits, yet the unique contributions of these overlapping constructs remain debated. Specifically, the statistical association between SOC and neuroticism has been taken as evidence for SOC representing a fundamental personality trait in disguise. The present research explored the incremental validity when predicting crucial psychological outcomes: mental health, satisfaction with life, and psychological distress. Method: Participants (N = 1842; 1574 female, 268 male, age 15–77 years), who completed an online survey, answered health-relevant questionnaires (SCL-K-9, SWLS, IRI-PD). Results: Multiple regression analysis showed that the Big Five can explain 40% of the observed variance in SOC. However, when using all variables as predictors of mental health, satisfaction with life, and personal distress, SOC showed substantial incremental validity over the Big Five traits. Conclusion: Despite overlapping variance, the importance of salutogenesis beyond the Five Factor Model can be demonstrated specifically for health outcomes. Differences in criterion validity and incremental validity of SOC imply that SOC cannot be equated with reversed neuroticism.... view less
Keywords
nutrition; salutogenesis; mental health; neuroticism; online survey; personality psychology; psychological stress; personality traits; behavior; social media; validity; health behavior; satisfaction with life
Classification
Personality Psychology
Free Keywords
Sense of Coherence; Neuroticism; Big Five personality factors; Incremental validity; Mental health; Life satisfaction
Document language
English
Publication Year
2015
Page/Pages
p. 106-111
Journal
Personality and Individual Differences (2015) 77
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2014.12.053
ISSN
0191-8869
Status
Postprint; peer reviewed
Licence
Creative Commons - Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0