![]() (2013) report that parent–child relationship quality was a better predictor of SOC than other contextual factors (e.g., classmate and teacher support, neighborhood assets). Similarly, adults’ recollections of healthier childhood family conditions (i.e., they did not report experiencing long-lasting economic difficulties, parent drinking problems, frequent fear of a family member, or major conflicts in one’s family) correlated with stronger SOC ( Volanen et al., 2004). (2014) followed Finnish twins longitudinally and found more positive family life (more caring, warm, creative, supportive, trusting, understanding) and less parent–child tension (less argumentative, unjust, indifferent) assessed at age 11 predicted stronger SOC 13 years later. ![]() Antonvosky and Sagy assert that growing up in a close family fosters a strong SOC: closer familial relationships allow for discussing issues or problems, which then helps children make sense of the world. The family environment is crucial for a child’s social development as it is usually the first social setting to which they are consistently exposed. The following study investigates the possible relationship between family chaos, sense of coherence, anxiety, and depression. This construct refers to pervasive beliefs about how manageable, meaningful, and comprehensible one’s life is. One conceptualization of a person’s ability to understand life stressors, and to cope with and derive benefit from them, is sense of coherence (SOC). These theories also illuminate how unpredictable environments or contingencies are sources of stress that may contribute to long-term, negative consequences. Attachment theory ( Bowlby, 1982), learned helplessness theory ( Seligman, 1975), and evolutionary development theory ( Belsky et al., 1991) each stress the importance of early stability and predictability for optimal development and functioning with regards to healthy relationships, mental health, and delayed maturation. Continual exposure to sources of instability, such as residential changes, parental mental illness and/or alcohol/substance abuse, family chaos, and changes in financial situations or parental marital status, may lead to perceptions that one’s environment is not safe and that individuals are not dependable. ![]() Stability during early development is a core factor for an individual’s overall sense of well-being. This is the first study to explore the relationships among SOC, family chaos, and psychological functioning. One mediation was detected: the relationship between family unpredictability and anxiety was partially explained by adults’ perceptions regarding the manageability of their life. Among adults ( N=220, 47% female, 50% male, 3% gender nonconforming M=40.2 years old 60% Caucasian), correlations among family chaos, SOC, and psychological functioning were even stronger, overall. Furthermore, SOC mediated the negative impact of family unpredictability on anxiety but not on depression. College students ( N=172, 78% female M=18.9 years old 78% white/Caucasian) who recalled more family unpredictability while growing up also reported weaker SOC beliefs and poorer mental health. We investigated how SOC relates to family of origin unpredictability and psychological functioning in two samples. Sense of coherence (SOC) refers to beliefs about how comprehensible, manageable, and meaningful one’s life is. All subjects Allied Health Cardiology & Cardiovascular Medicine Dentistry Emergency Medicine & Critical Care Endocrinology & Metabolism Environmental Science General Medicine Geriatrics Infectious Diseases Medico-legal Neurology Nursing Nutrition Obstetrics & Gynecology Oncology Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Otolaryngology Palliative Medicine & Chronic Care Pediatrics Pharmacology & Toxicology Psychiatry & Psychology Public Health Pulmonary & Respiratory Medicine Radiology Research Methods & Evaluation Rheumatology Surgery Tropical Medicine Veterinary Medicine Cell Biology Clinical Biochemistry Environmental Science Life Sciences Neuroscience Pharmacology & Toxicology Biomedical Engineering Engineering & Computing Environmental Engineering Materials Science Anthropology & Archaeology Communication & Media Studies Criminology & Criminal Justice Cultural Studies Economics & Development Education Environmental Studies Ethnic Studies Family Studies Gender Studies Geography Gerontology & Aging Group Studies History Information Science Interpersonal Violence Language & Linguistics Law Management & Organization Studies Marketing & Hospitality Music Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution Philosophy Politics & International Relations Psychoanalysis Psychology & Counseling Public Administration Regional Studies Religion Research Methods & Evaluation Science & Society Studies Social Work & Social Policy Sociology Special Education Urban Studies & Planning BROWSE JOURNALS
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