Aim: Sense of Coherence (SOC) reflects an individual's ability to overcome challenges under stressful conditions. This study examined the relationship between SOC and the research activities of nursing researchers, alongside factors associated with SOC during the prolonged coronavirus pandemic.
Methods: The study analyzed secondary data from a 2022 survey conducted by the Japan Academy of Nursing Science, which included responses from 616 nursing researchers. The survey assessed SOC using a 3-item version of a SOC scale (SOC-3-UTHS) developed by the University of Tokyo Health Sociology team. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed, with research activity-related outcomes in the context of the pandemic as dependent variables and SOC-3-UTHS scores, along with individual and professional attributes (selected based on previous studies), as independent variables. The relationship between SOC-3-UTHS scores and researcher attributes or environmental characteristics was also examined.
Results: The study found that higher SOC-UTHS scores were significantly associated with sustained or increased research time (odds ratio [OR] = 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.02, 1.13]) and motivation (OR = 1.08, 95% CI [1.03, 1.14]), and lower negative impact on research (OR = 0.94, 95% CI [0.90, 0.99]). Older age, managerial position, and possessing a doctoral degree were significantly associated with higher SOC-UTHS scores (p < .05).
Conclusions: The findings revealed a significant association between SOC and age, position, and academic degree. SOC may play an essential role in enabling nursing researchers to sustain research activities during prolonged crises. However, given the potential sample bias, further research is needed.
Keywords: COVID‐19; cross‐sectional studies; nursing researchers; sense of coherence; stress resilience.
© 2025 Japan Academy of Nursing Science.