Factors Associated with the Sense of Coherence Among Older Adults Attending a Geriatric Centre in Nigeria

Abstract

Sense of coherence (SOC) explores how individuals perceive and manage life, focusing on their ability to use available resources to overcome challenges and maintain or improve their health. However, understanding of the concept of SOC and its relationship to health among older Nigerians remain unknown. This study investigated the SOC and associated factors among older adults attending a geriatric facility in southwestern Nigeria. A cross-sectional study of 384 older adults (aged ≥ 60 years) were recruited at the Geriatric centre. Data were obtained using an interviewer-administered, semi-structured questionnaire administered by trained research assistants, we utilized the SOC adapted scale of Antonovsky’s SOC-13 scale. Other measures include their spirituality, cognition, depression, functional disability, quality of life, family relationship, and level of frailty, which were assessed using the spirituality index of well-being, six-item screener, Geriatric depression scale, Barthel’s independence activities of daily living, Family relations scale, Short-form 12-item and self-assessment of frailty tools, respectively. Descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted at α_0.05. The mean age was 70.3 ± 6.9 years, and 226 (58.9%) were females. The total mean SOC score was 42.96 ± 2.80, and the mean scores for the domains of SOC were ‘comprehensibility’ (16.68 ± 1.44), ‘manageability’ (14.43 ± 1.88), and ‘meaningfulness’ (11.84 ± 1.19). The predictors of stronger SOC were having fewer children alive (β = -0.100), lower depression score (β -0.117), higher self-rated health (β = 0.103) and a higher level of spirituality (β = -0.335). This study revealed that lower depression, better self-rated health, and higher spirituality were linked to a stronger sense of coherence among older Nigerians. Understanding these factors aids designing interventions to enhance SOC and health outcomes. The findings advocate for the prioritization of mental health and spiritual care in Nigerian geriatric services.