The sense of coherence as a mediator between physical activity and resilience

  • Jul 26, 2021
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According to Anaut (2005) there are different manifestations of resilience, at the social level (adaptation of social competences), school (cognitive and school adaptation capacity) and emotional (psychological well-being). Competences in any of these three areas can be manifested independently, so that the subject can develop resilient characteristics in any domain of competencies and even in several at the same time or in all of them (Walsh et al, 2010). But, despite demonstrating success in one domain, he may present deficiencies in other areas of his life (Ungar, 2003) simultaneously (Luthar et al., 2000).

In the scientific literature, it has been considered that there is a positive relationship between participation in sports activities and some supposed effects or beneficial results, whether in terms of social inclusion (Feinstein et als., 2006), pro-social behavior (Armor, 2013), academic results (Trudeau et al. als., 2008; Hill et als., 2010) or emotional and social well-being (Eime, 2013).

It is assumed the influence between sports practice and the competences developed through and that the latter can be transferred to other domains or areas of the person (Jonker, 2011), such What psychological mechanisms underlying (self-regulation processes: planning, monitoring, self-evaluation, reflection and self-efficacy (Jonker, op. cit.) varied, difficult to contrast and operability, being, in short, social values, traits and positive psychological states) and, the so-called sense of coherence or set of resources that allow an individual act in challenging situations.

These resources or personal characteristics constitute a construct on which there is more information and is the element on which we intend to focus our Attention, if we try to materialize or verify the supposed incidence of physical and sports activity on the resilient capacity of the subjects, studied in samples concrete.

The sense of coherence (SOC): concept

The sense of coherence (SOC) is defined as a generalized way of perception of the world (taking into account the cognitive and emotional aspects), which allows the incoming stimuli (internal and external) to be perceived as understandable, controlled and significant. The sense of coherence thus comprises these three components:

  • Understandability: It supposes that the stimuli that affect the subject are first perceived as coherent and structured, resulting in the person being able to understand, explain and predict the events that he is living;
  • Manageability, as soon as the subject makes an evaluation of the resources and skills available to face the demands related to the input stimulus and, it will allow you not to feel powerless to face the difficulties that such a situation sue you;
  • The meaning: understood as the belief that it is worth participating in life's challenges and investing energy in them, which means that the person is convinced that his actions make sense (Antonovsky, 1987, p. 19).

The sense of coherence and physical activity

In the literature, SOC is understood as a global expression of the degree of confidence that a subject has in the face of adversity, so that a high level of it is associated with a greater resistance to stress and a lower risk of pathological reactions caused by it (Fromberger et al.s, 1999; Fuglsang et als., 2002; Hepp et al., 2008). A lower SOC has previously been associated with higher levels of psychological distress after trauma (Fromberger et al., 1999; Fuglsang et al., 2002; Hepp et al., 2005).

The SOC represents a autonomous personal resource capable of directly contributing to subjective well-being (Sairenchi et al., 2011), implies skills to face the stress, develops from childhood and adolescence, reaching its highest value in adulthood (Bezuidenhout and Cilliers, 2010). In contexts outside the practice of sports and physical activity, significant differences were found, which we underestimate not because they are considered irrelevant, but because they occur in other areas outside our own (business world and not teaching (Harry, 2011)).

Dematteis et als. (2012) points out that subjects with a higher SOC “in the face of stressful life events manage to put in place the available resources to effectively face the demands of the medium, perceive adversity situations as challenges and have a better understanding of them, present a flexible and emotional personal functioning pattern stable. Faced with difficult situations, they manage to stay calm, relaxed, do not react with hostility, have a high tolerance for frustration and a low tendency to experience depressive or emotional affect. vulnerability ”…“ These people are characterized by having a greater degree of organization, persistence, control and motivation in goal-directed behavior, which means that they rarely act by impulse. They feel competent, effective in the face of external requirements, they have high self-esteem and the ability to find motivation in themselves.

In the interpersonal relationships are assertiveThey express trust towards others and a cooperative attitude that allows them to resolve conflicts that may arise. They are cordial, affectionate, sincere, they have a knack for establishing intimate bonds and they enjoy the company of others. " (pp. 20). Goals that are not unrelated to the practice of sport and physical activity, nor exclusive to it.

Even if there is no evidence linking physical activity with a high SOC, It is observed that people with such characteristics (High SOC) participate more often in physical activities (Honkinen et als. 2005; Kuuppelomäki et als., 2003; Ahola et als. (2012)), although the doubt remains as to whether they are more physically active people or whether their higher level of physical activity increases and improves the SOC level. Eime et als. (op cit.) compiled different studies that show the existence of a positive relationship between sports participation and different beneficial results for people, both in terms of social inclusion, pro-social behavior, academic performance or social well-being and emotional.

SOC contributes to the development and maintenance of people's health, evolving from childhood to adolescence, a time when individuals begin to develop a more abstract idea of ​​themselves and a more differentiated self-concept, while acquiring more autonomy and making greater decisions about themselves (Myrin, 2008).

SOC correlates with determinants of mental health, nominally with negative emotions, anxiety and depression, which makes it a parallel expression of mental health, reflecting the ability to manage stress, reflect the resources to be mobilized to cope with a situation and seek solutions (Eriksson, 2006). Subjects with a high SOC will experience shorter periods of damaging stress, lower levels of depressive and psychosomatic problems (Myrin, op.).

It should not be forgotten that rearing conditions also contribute to the appearance of a high SOC, family, socio-economic status, social relationships, culture, gender and life experiences (Honkinen, op., cit.).

On the other hand, physical activitya and planned sports, in its most educational dimension, characterized by focusing on the subject who participates in a given activity, especially at the school level, placing the accent more on skills than in disabilities and, furthermore, as Lay (2009) points out: “it does not only look at the symptoms and pathologies.

  • Strengthens personal resources and social interactions.
  • Facilitates a integral development of the person in their social environment.
  • It fosters a multidimensional perspective, integrating all the multiple causes, conditions and effects.
  • Lower obstacles participation and encourages the integration of all.
  • It offers a protected and trustworthy space, and fosters coherent relationships, cohesion and empathy among all.
  • It fosters continuity and sustainability through the integration of lifestyle learning and a network of cooperation of entities, organizations and social groups, which facilitates social re-integration and a perspective of future.
  • Promote active participation of all at all levels (planning, implementation and evaluation of activities) ”pp. 111-112.
The sense of coherence as a mediator between physical activity and resilience - Domains of resilience

The sense of coherence as a mediator between physical activity and resilience

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