Determinants of Sense of Coherence in Male Japanese Workers: a Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Suicide is the leading cause of death of Japanese people aged 20-39 years. Improved stress-coping ability, here defined as sense of coherence (SOC), may reduce suicidal risk. The objective of the present study is to investigate the determinants of SOC, including age, in male Japanese workers.

Methods: Of the 467 employees of a nationwide company in Japan, 457 agreed to participate in this cross-sectional study. After exclusion of 43 females, the remaining 414 males were analyzed. SOC was measured by the SOC-13, and other data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate possible determinants of SOC.

Results: Higher age was significantly associated with increased SOC (β=0.14, p=0.014). Workers in their 40s and 50s had 2-3 points higher adjusted mean SOC scores than did workers aged 20-39 years. However, the most influential factor for SOC was sleep quality. Marital cohabitation status (living with a spouse) and drinking habits (current drinker) were also associated with higher SOC. In contrast, smoking habits, exercise habits, and night shift work were not significantly associated with SOC.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that age, quality of sleep, drinking habits and marital cohabitation status may be mediators of SOC.