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Socioeconomic Status, Sense of Coherence and Health in Canadian Women

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Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the role of sense of coherence (SOC) in the relationship between household income and self-rated health among Canadian women. SOC is a global orientation that enables one to perceive events of the world as comprehensible, manageable, and meaningful.

Methods: A secondary data analysis was conducted using the National Population Health Survey 1994–95. Only women between the ages of 20 and 64 (n = 6748) were selected for this study. Data were analysed using multivariate path analyses.

Results: SOC is a psychosocial factor that intervenes in the income and health relationship. It did not function, however, as an interaction buffer to ameliorate the adverse effects of low income on health.

Conclusion: This study lends support for public health interventions that target the socioeconomic conditions that influence health, and for strategies that foster the development of a strong SOC.

Résumé

Objectif: Cette étude porte sur le rôle de la sensation de cohérence (SDC) dans la relation entre le revenu du ménage et l’état de santé auto-évalué chez les Canadiennes. La SDC est une orientation globale qui permet à l’individu de percevoir les événements du monde comme étant compréhensibles, contrôlables et significatifs.

Méthode: Nous avons analysé des données secondaires de l’Enquête nationale sur la santé de la population (1994–1995) en ne sélectionnant que les femmes de 20 à 64 ans (n=6 748). Les données ont fait l’objet d’analyses causales multivariables.

Résultats: La SDC est un facteur psychosocial qui intervient dans la relation entre le revenu et la santé. Elle ne joue toutefois pas un rôle de régulation des interactions susceptible d’atténuer les effets indésirables des faibles niveaux de revenu sur la santé.

Conclusion: L’étude confirme la validité des mesures de santé publique axées sur les conditions socio-économiques qui influencent la santé, et celle des stratégies favorisant le développement d’une SDC solide.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Communicable Disease Control Specialist, Health Protection & Prevention, David Thompson Health Region, 2845 Bremner Avenue, Red Deer, AB, T4L 1S2, Canada

    Joan D. Ing RN, MN (Health Protection & Prevention) & Linda Reutter RN, PhD (Professor)

  2. Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Joan D. Ing RN, MN (Health Protection & Prevention)

Authors
  1. Joan D. Ing RN, MN
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  2. Linda Reutter RN, PhD
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Correspondence to Joan D. Ing RN, MN.

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Ing, J.D., Reutter, L. Socioeconomic Status, Sense of Coherence and Health in Canadian Women. Can J Public Health 94, 224–228 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03405071

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