• Jessie Dezutter, Ulrich Wiesmann, Silke Apers, and Koen Luyckx.
• Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium. jessie.dezutter@ppw.kuleuven.be
• Aging Ment Health. 2013 Jan 1; 17 (7): 839-43.

ObjectivesThe present study investigated the relationship between Antonovsky's sense of coherence (SOC) and well-being in a sample of Flemish elderly. In addition, the mediating role of Erikson's developmental task of integrity versus despair was examined in the relationship between SOC, depression, and life satisfaction.MethodData on sociodemographic variables, SOC, depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, ego-integrity, and despair were collected. In total, 100 older persons with a mean age of 76.5 years participated. Mplus was used to test the mediating role of integrity and despair in the relationship between SOC and both life satisfaction and depression.ResultsA positive relationship between SOC and well-being was found. More precisely, elderly individuals with a strong SOC experienced less depressive symptoms and higher levels of satisfaction with their life. In addition, mediation analysis indicated that the relationship between SOC and depressive symptoms was partially mediated by the positive resolution of the integrity-despair crisis, whereas the relationship between SOC and life satisfaction was fully mediated by integrity and despair.ConclusionOur findings indicate that SOC might be a resource for greater well-being in the elderly. Furthermore, our study offers a partial explanation for the relations found and points to the importance of finding integrity and resolving despair in this stage of life.

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