The intimate environment and the sense of coherence among Holocaust survivors

The present study seeks to show the influence of biographical experiences of Holocaust survivors on the sense of coherence (SOC), in Antonovsky's theory, a construct which has been shown to be linked to health status. It was postulated that three central biographical issues--(1) the existence of an intimate environment; (2) the fulfillment of developmental tasks; and (3) engagement in a meaningful major activity--would be related to the survivor's present SOC. A structured interview was designed to cover different experiences of the survivors, focusing on these three issues at five age periods (6, 15, 24 and 45), in World War II and at present. Interviews were conducted with 20 elderly survivors born between 1920 to 1925. Quality of experience biographical scores at each age and in each of the three areas were assessed. Respondents also completed the SOC scale independently. A high correlation between the overall "Biography" score and the SOC was found. "Meaningful major activity" seems to play a more significant role in the subsequent development of a strong SOC than do the other two life issues. No significant correlations between any of the five specific ages and the SOC were found.