Abstract

The predictive relationship of quality of life domains to sense of coherence subdomains

Joel Alcantara, DC, Jeanne Ohm, DC, and Joey Alcantara

Objective: To assess the predictive relationship between quality of life (QoL) domains with the subdomains of sense of coherence (SOC).

Methods: We measured the SOC and QoL of patients using the SOC-29 and the PROMIS-29/PROMIS global health measures, respectively. The SOC subdomains are comprehensibility, manageability and meaning. The measured PROMIS-29 QoL domains are physical function, anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbance, ability to participate in social roles and activities, pain interference and intensity while PROMIS global health are global physical health (GPH) and global mental health (GMH). Predictive relationships utilized random forest regression analysis based on variable importance.

Results: Our convenience sample consisted of 1980 responders (average age=40.72 years; 1494 females). Based on variable importance outcomes, the SOC subdomains were strong predictors for each other such that comprehensibility strongly predicted manageability and manageability strongly predicted meaning. The mental health domains (i.e., GMH, anxiety, depression) and age were also strong predictors for the SOC subdomains while the physical domains (i.e., physical function, pain interference) were the least predictive. Educational level predicted comprehensibility and meaning, while sleep disturbance predicted manageability.

Conclusion: The subdomains of SOC were strongly predictive for each other along with mental health QoL domains.

Highlights of Study

• This study demonstrates that chiropractors should focus on the mental health of their patients to increase their sense of coherence – the ability to handle stress whether its thoughts, traumas, and toxins
• The older a patient is the more likely you will increase their SOC.
• The mental health domains (i.e., General Mental Health, anxiety, depression) and age were also strong predictors for the SOC subdomains while the physical domains (i.e., physical function, pain interference) were the least predictive.
• High educational level (which is characteristic of chiropractic patients) predicted for the comprehensibility and meaning components of sense of coherence.

Presented at ACC-RAC 2019: Baltimore, MD Mar 14-16, 2019