Sense of Coherence in Salutogenic Paradigm

The central concept of the Salutogenic Model is sense of coherence, which is defined as a global orientation that expresses the extent to which one has a feeling of confidence that one's internal and external environments are comprehensible, manageable, and meaningful. Sense of coherence is proposed as a determinant of positive health consequences and successful coping. The purpose of this article is to review Antonovsky's Salutogenic Model, the concept of sense of coherence, and its central components and sources. For conceptual clarity, sense of coherence is compared and contrasted with the concept of hardiness. The empirical research findings are integrated to better understand sense of coherence and to enhance future implications for nursing research and practice.