Are Three Items Sufficient to Measure Sense of Coherence?

The present study aimed at evaluating if the three-item sense of coherence (SOC) scale developed by Lundberg & Nystrom Peck (1995) can be effectively used for research purpose in both non-clinical and clinical samples. To providing evidence that it represents adequately the measured construct we tested its validity in a non-clinical (N = 658) and clinical sample (N = 764 patients with cancer). Results obtained in the non-clinical sample attested a positive relation of SOC -as measured by the three-item SOC scale- with Antonovsky's 13-item and 29-item SOC scales (convergent validity), and with dispositional optimism, sense of mastery, anxiety, and depression symptoms (concurrent validity). Results obtained in the clinical sample confirmed the criterion validity of the scale attesting the positive role of SOC -as measured by the three-item SOC scale- on the person’s capacity to respond to illness and treatment. The current study provides evidence that the three-item SOC scale is a valid, low-loading and time-saving instrument for research purposes on large sample.