Sense of coherence in students while studying abroad

Area of Science:

• Health Sciences
• Sociology
• Psychology

Background:

• Introduces salutogenesis and sense of coherence (SOC) theory developed by Aaron Antonovsky.
• Highlights the gap in SOC research within intercultural and cross-cultural study-abroad contexts like Semester at Sea (SAS).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare levels of sense of coherence (SOC) among students participating in the SAS study-abroad program.
• To examine differences in SOC sub-scales (meaningfulness, comprehensibility, manageability) across diverse student demographics.

Main Methods:

• Employs a quantitative, cross-sectional correlational design over a 106-day voyage.
• Utilizes Antonovsky's 29-item Life Orientation Questionnaire to assess SOC.
• Compares SOC scores between US and international students, and between genders, after establishing measurement invariance.

Main Results:

• Students reported highest overall scores in meaningfulness, followed by manageability and comprehensibility.
• Women scored significantly higher in meaningfulness compared to men.
• Findings suggest the motivational component of life is highly important for these students.

Conclusions:

• The study provides valuable insights into sense of coherence (SOC) within a unique study-abroad population.
• Results may inform the development of targeted interventions to enhance SOC across diverse student groups in SAS.
• Contributes novel findings to SOC research in the context of international education programs.