Factors influencing sense of coherence in a Human Services organisation

Salutogenetic factors (Antonovsky, 1987) at rehabilitation sections in Swedish Social Insurance offices were investigated in 2 studies. Study 1 (N=158) surveyed creative/stagnated climate (Ekvall, 1988), leadership of immediate superior (Ekvall&Arvonen, 1991), and sense of coherence (Antonovsky, 1993), here modified for the work place (W-SOC). A multiple regression (p< .001) showed that creative climate, employee-centred leadership, and position as co-ordinator, were positive for W-SOC. Change-centred leadership, and position as initial investigator of a rehab case were negative. In study 2, interviews (N=10) revealed heavy workload and scarce feedback from the superiors. Conclusion: high strain accentuates the need for democratic and supportive leadership