Sense of coherence, constructive thinking and fortitude as components of psychological well-being

Abstract

This study forms part of a greater trans-university study on fortology and psychological well-being (Wissing, 1998). This specific study focuses on similarities and differences between sense of coherence (Antonovsky, 1979; 1987; 1991; 1992; 1993), constructive thinking (Epstein, 1992; 1993) and fortitude (Pretorius, 1998) as constructs contributing to an understanding of psychological well-being, and as phenomena which appear to be related to stress resistance. The constructs were analysed against the background of the fortigenic paradigm (Strumpfer, 1995) and models of well-being. The constructs were also compared to other constructs related to psychological well-being. In a factor analysis on the total scale scores of the measuring instruments that operationalise the constructs of sense of coherence (SOC), constructive thinking (CTI) and fortitude (FORQ), a single factor was extracted which supported the hypothesis that these denotations of constructs overlap to some degree on an empirical level. By means of a further analysis of the sub-scale scores ( where applicable), two factors were extracted, namely intra-psychic functioning and interpersonal functioning. Thus, the hypothesis that a degree of overlap would exist on an empirical level was further supported.

In a factor analysis on the total scale scores of the instruments measuring sense of coherence, constructive thinking and fortitude, together with the total scale scores of previously benchmarked indicators of general psychological well-being- satisfaction with life (Diener, Emmons, Larsen, & Griffen, 1985) and affect balance (Kammann & Flett, 1983) - as well as a.it indicator of psycho-pathology, namely the General Health Questionnaire ( Goldberg & Hillier, 1979), a single factor was extracted, and the indicator of pathology carried a negative loading. This supports the hypothesis that there is a general psychological well-being factor and that psychological well-being is characterised by the absence of pathology. A further factor analysis on the scores of the sub-scales (where applicable), extracted three factors, namely an intra-psychic factor, an interpersonal factor and a psycho-pathology factor. The overlap among the constructs of sense of coherence, constructive thinking and fortitude can be explained in terms of the stress buffering effect of all three constructs as described in the literature, and in terms of the cognitive mechanisms that underlie the processes involved. The results of this study have implications for the development of (new) theories on psychological well-being, in that the general psychological well-being factor should be taken into account in such models. Further research should focus on the development of prevention programmes that should utilise the concepts of psychological well-being in the enhancement of quality of life.