Mental Health Outcomes of Sense of Coherence in Individualistic and Collectivistic Culture: Moderating Role of Social Support

The present cross-cultural study aimed to examine the moderating role of social support between sense of coherence and mental health outcomes among university students of individualistic culture and collectivistic culture. Sense of Coherence Scale (Antonovsky, 1987), Perceived Social Support Scale (Zimet, Dahlem, & Farley, 1988), Short Warwick Edinburg Scale (Tennant et al., 2006), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995) were used for data collection. Sample of the study comprised of university students (N = 200) further equally divided in individualistic culture that is, Germany and collectivistic culture, that is, Pakistan. Few hypotheses were fully supported; while some were partially accepted in the study. Senses of coherence positively predicted well-being in individualistic culture as well as collectivistic culture. Social support positively predicted well-being and negatively predicts stress in both cultures. Social support as a moderator of well-being is partially accepted in individualistic culture.