Sense of coherence can predict hope in older adults: a cross-lagged analysis
Lin Yao, Baoshan Zhang, Ran Xu
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study examined the relationship between sense of coherence (SOC) and hope in older adults from a longitudinal perspective. METHOD: 271 older adults completed self-reported questionnaires assessing hope and SOC at 3 time points: at intake, at a 6-month follow-up, and at a 12-month follow-up. A cross-lagged panel model was used to examine the relationship between SOC and hope. RESULTS: The results showed that SOC was significantly associated with the level of hope in the older adults at all three time points. The cross-lagged analysis showed that the lagged effect of SOC on hope was significant, whereas the lagged effect of the level of hope on SOC was nonsignificant. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that SOC predicted the level of hope 6 months later and may be helpful for guiding older adults to increase their hope for the future through strategies aimed at improving their SOC.