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Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique logoLink to Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique
. 2003 May 1;94(3):224–228. doi: 10.1007/BF03405071

Socioeconomic Status, Sense of Coherence and Health in Canadian Women

Joan D Ing 114,115,✉, Linda Reutter 114
PMCID: PMC6979888  PMID: 12790499

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.

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