Publication: A Qualitative Evaluation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Short Form of the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-13) in Nepali
Date
2023
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Sense of Coherence (SOC) relates to an individual’s overall life orientation, and
stronger SOC is associated with better health, quality of life, and coping strategies.
When our research group used the SOC-13 questionnaire for the first time in Nepal,
we identified difficulties in response patterns. The findings necessitated further
evaluation of the Nepali version of the SOC-13 questionnaire.
Objective
To qualitatively evaluate the SOC-13 questionnaire in Nepali for cross-cultural
adaptation.
Method
Nineteen nurses were interviewed. We used the methodological approach of
“think aloud” to obtain a deeper understanding of the interferences of the scales.
Transcribed materials were analyzed using a deductive approach through qualitative
content analysis. The original translated version of the SOC-13 questionnaire in
Nepali was modified by replacing words that were easier to understand.
Result
Participants found the questionnaire content general and non-specific but easy
to complete. The nurses experienced that the meanings and sentences in some
of the items and response alternatives were difficult to understand. However, the
overall comprehensiveness of most items and response alternatives was perceived
as good. Nurses’ interpretation of the SOC-items in the translated version of the
SOC-13 questionnaire in Nepali matched the original English version. Items that
were experienced as difficult in the Nepali language were modified to increase their
comprehensiveness. Modified items and response alternatives had the same content
as before, but some words and meanings were substituted with easier language.
Conclusion
The current revised version of SOC-13 in Nepali is valid and useful to explore
individuals’ overall life orientation and their abilities to deal and cope with various
life events in the Nepalese context.
KEY WORDS
Health resources, Qualitative validation, Resources, Ralutogenesis, Sense of
coherence
Description
Thapa DR,1 Subedi M,2 Ekström-Bergström A,3 Areskoug Josefsson K,3-5 Krettek A6-8
1Department of Nursing and Reproductive
Perinatal and Sexual Health, School of Health
Sciences, University of Skövde, PO Box 408, 541 28
Skövde, Sweden
2School of Public Health, Patan Academy of Health
Sciences, GPO Box 26500, Lalitpur, Nepal
3Department of Health Sciences, University West
Gustava Melins gata 2, 461 32 Trollhättan, Sweden
4School of Health and Welfare
Jönköping University, Box 1026, 551 11 Jönköping,
Sweden
5Department of Behavioural Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan
University, PO Box 4, 0130 Oslo, Norway
6Department of Public Health, School of Health
Sciences, University of Skövde, PO Box 408, 541 28
Skövde, Sweden
7Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical
Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska
Academy at University of Gothenburg, Box 400, 405
30 Gothenburg, Sweden
8Department of Community Medicine, Faculty
of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of
Norway, POBox 6050, Langnes, 9037 Tromsø,
Norway
Keywords
Health resources, Qualitative validation, Resources, Ralutogenesis, Sense of coherence