Sense of coherence in students while studying abroad

Background: In the 1970s, medical sociologist Aaron Antonovsky developed the concept of salutogenesis, which is the study of health and development focusing on sense of coherence (SOC). Although salutogenesis has been well researched in higher education contexts, the concept has not been studied in depth in intercultural and cross-cultural settings, such as the one provided by semester at sea (SAS), which is a United States (US) study-abroad programme.

Aim: The aim was to investigate and compare levels of SOC in students in the SAS study-abroad programme.

Setting: The research was conducted during a selected voyage at sea over a period of 106 days.

Methods: The authors used a quantitative cross-sectional correlational design and investigated mean score differences in three SOC sub-scale scores measuring meaningfulness, comprehensibility, and manageability. The authors compared US students' SOC scores to those of students from other countries and compared the scores of women to men. Measurement invariance was firstly established before investigating mean score differences. Data were collected in the form of a survey, using Antonovsky's 29-item Life Orientation Questionnaire.

Results: The study shows that overall scores in meaningfulness were the highest, followed by manageability and comprehensibility, which potentially supports the idea that the motivational component in life of these students is the most important. Finally, women scored higher in meaningfulness than men.

Conclusion: The study can provide insights in SOC in students and might provide implications for interventions regarding SOC results across diverse student populations in SAS.

Contribution: This article contributes to SOC research in study-abroad programmes.