The Relationship Among Sense of Coherence, Coping Strategies, and Interpersonal Patterns: A Cross-Cultural Study

The purpose of the study was to test a path analytic model linking sense of coherence (SOC), coping strategies (problem-solving, social support-seeking, avoidance), and interpersonal patterns (anxiety, close, depend) in a sample of 264 U.S. and 254 Chinese college students. Data were analyzed by Structural Equation Modeling. In both samples, participants who showed higher SOC had higher levels of social anxiety. SOC also indirectly influenced anxiety through avoidance. In addition, anxiety could predict close and depend interpersonal patterns in both samples. Social support-seeking could predict problem-solving and the interpersonal pattern of close in the U.S. sample. Social support-seeking could predict problem-solving and the interpersonal pattern of depend in the Chinese sample. These results showed that although individuals with higher levels of SOC perceive the world as understandable, manageable, and meaningful, they tend to be anxious in interpersonal interactions. The results also suggested that their anxiety can be counterbalanced by avoidance and social support- seeking coping strategies.