Table 4 Sense of Coherence 9-item scale (SOC-9-PL): items, correlation matrix, and descriptive statistics (N = 1053).

1 (Me)

Until now your life has had: (1 = No clear goals or purpose to 7 = Very clear goals and purpose)

1.30

-.44

.13

2 (Ma)

Do you have the feeling that you’re being treated unfairly? (1 = Very often to 7 = Very seldom or never)

1.55

-.26

-.49

.11

3 (Co)

Do you have the feeling that you are in an unfamiliar situation and don’t know what to do? (1 = Very often to 7 = Very seldom or never)

1.52

-.26

-.50

.19

.55

4^R (Me)

Doing the things you do every day is: (1 = A source of deep pleasure and satisfaction to 7 = A source of pain and boredom)

1.43

-.25

-.23

.24

.16

.18

5 (Co)

Do you have very mixed-up feelings and ideas? (1 = Very often to 7 = Very seldom or never)

1.48

-.02

-.36

.12

.38

.40

.15

6 (Co)

Does it happen that you have feelings inside you would rather not feel? (1 = Very often to 7 = Very seldom or never)

1.63

-.01

-.70

.17

.37

.43

.21

.64

7^R (Ma)

Many people – even those with a strong character – sometimes feel like sad sacks (losers) in certain situations. How often have you felt this way in the past? (1 = Never to 7 = Very often)

1.40

.13

-.29

.05 ^ns

.24

.30

.39

.37

.44

8 (Me)

How often do you have the feeling that there’s little meaning in the things you do in your daily life? (1 = Very often to 7 = Very seldom or never)

1.49

-.35

-.35

.31

.36

.38

.38

.37

.42

.38

9 (Ma)

How often do you have feelings that you’re not sure you can keep under control? (1 = Very often to 7 = Very seldom or never)

1.49

-.25

-.41

.27

.32

.43

.31

.43

.52

.40

.54

SoC (overall)

.95

-.03

.75

.41

.62

.68

.52

.68

.74

.61

.72

.74