Construct Validity of the Orientation to Life Questionnaire in a General Adult Population in Norway and Its Association with Self-Reported General and Oral Health

Individuals' Sense of Coherence (SOC) is measured with the Orientation to Life Questionnaire (OLQ-13). SOC reflects a person's orientation to life and ability to manage stress, which can impact health. The aim of the study was to test the reliability and construct validity of the OLQ-13, with self-reported general and oral health as criterion measures, in a Norwegian general adult population. Data were collected using the OLQ-13 in addition to items measuring sociodemographic information, self-reported general health and self-reported oral health. This study was based on data from a population-based cross-sectional oral health study in Troms County, conducted from October 2013 to November 2014 (n = 1875, mean age 47.4 years, 50.5% women). Internal consistency was examined with Cronbach's alpha (α). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test the construct validity (one- and three-factor structure of the OLQ-13). The associations between SOC and self-reported general and oral health were tested using one-way ANOVA. The internal consistency of the OLQ-13 was good (α = 0.84). The CFA showed that while the OLQ-13 demonstrated an unacceptable fit, a shortened 11-item version with a three-factor structure revealed an acceptable fit and good internal consistency (α = 0.86). The highest mean SOC scores were found among individuals reporting good or very good general and oral health. A three-factor structure with an 11-item version of the OLQ to assess SOC showed better validity than OLQ-13 in a general population in Northern Norway. Self-reported general and oral health can be considered appropriate criterion measures when validating SOC. To achieve a valid measurement scale for assessing SOC, a revision of the OLQ-13 appears necessary, and further studies are needed.