The association between sense of coherence and health outcomes among community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review

Abstract Objective: The objective of this study was to systematically review evidence of the association between the sense of coherence (SOC) and health outcomes in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: Six databases, including PubMed, Web of Sciences, Scopus, CINAHL Plus with full text (EBSCO), OVID, and the Cochrane Library, were thoroughly searched. The checklist developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale were used to assess the quality of the relevant studies. Results: Twenty-nine studies were included in this review. Generally, higher SOC levels are associated with better physical health (less symptom reporting, better functional status, less disability, better daily activity ability, less pain, better sleep quality, and better oral health) and better psychological health (less perceived stress, more positive self-perception of aging, less depression, and less posttraumatic stress reaction) in older adults. Higher SOC levels are also correlated with greater preventive/self-management behaviors ability, subjective well-being, adjustment to aging later in life, cumulative survival, quality of life, life satisfaction, and self-perceived health. Higher SOC levels are a vital mediators or moderators of health in older adults. Conclusions: The SOC is a protective factor for the health of community-dwelling older adults. Interventions targeting improvement in SOC levels should be developed and implemented to facilitate active aging in older adults.