engleski

Sense of Coherence and Subjective Well-Being among adolescents - the potential role of living in a dormitory vs living with the family

Background and aims Knowledge about adolescents’ health promoting factors is essential, especially looking from mental health perspective. This study examined the relation between sense of coherence (SOC) and subjective well-being (SWB) among adolescents living with parents and those living in dormitories at the beginning of secondary education. The association between SOC and SWB controlled for sociodemographic variables was also investigated. Methods Cross-sectional study included 442 adolescents (55% girls) mean aged 14.9 years from secondary schools and dormitories in Zagreb. SOC was measured by the 29-item scale of Antonovsky’s Orientation to Life Questionnaire and SWB by the Personal Wellbeing Index. The student t- test was performed to test the differences in SOC and SWB among participants. A hierarchical regression analysis was conducted with variables entered from sociodemographic characteristics and SOC to evaluate the association with SWB. Results There were no significant differences between the group living with parents and the group living in dormitories in the SOC (p=.580) and SWB (p=.537). There was a significant difference between the genders. Boys had a stronger SOC, including those living with parents (p=.014), as well as those living in dormitories (p<.001) and higher SWB if they lived in dormitory (p<.001). Adolescents with better economic status had significantly higher SWB if they lived with parents (p=.003) while there was no difference noticed in the dormitory group (p=.241). SOC was strongly and positively associated with SWB (p<.001). Conclusion The results give support for the implications of SOC in relation to SWB. Boys showed a stronger SOC and a higher SWB than girls did. Further planning and supportive work in schools and dormitories should consider this finding. Statement Further planning and supportive work in schools and dormitories should consider this finding.

sense of coherence, adolescence

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