Abstract

PAREDES-CARBONELL, J.J.; AGULLO-CANTOS, J.M.; VERA-REMARTINEZ, E.J.  and  HERNAN-GARCIA, M.. Sense of coherence and health assets in a youth center for minors. Rev. esp. sanid. penit. [online]. 2013, vol.15, n.3, pp.87-97. ISSN 2013-6463.

Objectives: To determine the Sense of Coherence (SOC) amongst young people at 2 Youth Detention Centres in Valencia, the views of professionals on SOC and how young people identify health assets. Materials and methods: 45 young people answered the SOC-13 test. Categorical variables were expressed as absolute and relative frequencies, while the quantitative ones were expressed via means with confidence intervals (CI) at 95%. We designed and conducted a group interview with 5 teenage inmates and an open-ended questionnaire for six professionals. We performed an analysis based on content and categories. Results: Mean SOC score is 54.4 (95% CI 53.9 to 59.8). Regarding the size of the test, manageability, 17.6 (95% CI 16.5 to 18.8); comprehensibility, 19.6 (95% CI: 18.1, 21.1) and meaningfulness, 17,1 (95% CI: 16.0 to 18.2). Young people identify internal assets such as "sport" and "being positive" and external assets such as "persons (family and friends)" and "spaces related to physical activity". Professionals believe that SOC places value on aspects that are relevant to the life of the centre and that young people obtain a moderate score. Discussion: The SOC level obtained is moderate and similar to other populations. The results show limitations linked to acquisition of the sample, but also indicate scope for further research on SOC, and on the differences between youth cultures, SOC and identified health assets. Assets could be given further impetus by young people themselves with support from professionals, family and the community environment.

Keywords : Health promotion; Mental health; Adolescent health; Prisons; Education; Social medicine; Sense of coherence; Public health.

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