Table 2 Characteristics of the studies included in the review

Ayo-Yusuf et al., South Africa, 2009 [28]

To determine the association between adolescents’ sense of coherence and their tooth-brushing behavior.

578

12-19 Young

Longitudinal

Oral health behaviors

Probabilistic

Youth with strong SOC are significantly more likely to brush their teeth twice a day.

High

Ayo-Yusuf et al., South Africa, 2013 [29]

To determine the association between the SOC of nonsmokers and their commitment to remain smoke-free, regardless of the presence of smoking in the home.

1767

13-15 Non-smoking rural youth

Longitudinal

Tobacco use

Probabilistic

Youth with a strong SOC are more likely to remain smoke-free.

High

Bronikowski et al., Poland, 2017 [30]

To investigate the associations of SOC, physical activity, and the role of gender and age in young adolescents.

1296

13-16 Adolescents

Descriptive Cross-sectional

Practice of physical activity

Probabilistic

Adolescents with a strong SOC are positively related to the level of moderate to vigorous physical activity.

High

Chu et al., China, 2016 [31]

Identify factors associated with SOC with emphasis on the impact of perceived stress on the development of SOC.

1853

University students

Descriptive Cross-sectional

Practice of physical activity

Probabilistic

Young adults with a strong SOC practice physical activity ≥3 times per week.

High

DeBruyn et al., United States, 2002 [32]

To address the role that SOC plays in the perception of stress, binge drinking, and convictions to determine the perception of binge drinking norms on campus.

189

University students

Descriptive Cross-sectional

Alcohol use

Probabilistic

Youth with weak SOCs reported binge drinking in the 2 weeks prior compared to those with strong SOCs.

High

Do Carmo et al., Brazil, 2001 [33]

To investigate the relationship between SOC and oral health.

664

15 Adolescents

Descriptive Cross-sectional

Oral health behaviors

Probabilistic

Adolescents with a strong SOC are more likely to visit the dentist for checkups and checkups.

High

Dorri et al., Iran, 2010 [34]

To evaluate the association between SOC and tooth brushing behaviors.

911

11-16 Adolescents

Descriptive Cross-sectional

Oral health behaviors

Probabilistic

Adolescents with a stronger SOC were significantly associated with higher tooth brushing frequencies.

High

El-Shahawy et al., United States, 2015 [35]

To examine the association between SOC, smoking myths and smoking expectancy for the next year and smoking in the past 30 days.

1090

13-19 Young

Longitudinal

Tobacco use

Probabilistic

At baseline, SOC correlated with cigarette consumption and smoking expectancy for the next year, but did not predict changes at follow-up.

Medium

Gajdosova et al., Slovakia, 2009 [36]

To analyze the effect of Eysenck’s personality dimensions, self-esteem and SOC on the probability of being a smoker.

830

University students

Descriptive Cross-sectional

Tobacco use

Non-probabilistic

Male smokers reported higher comprehensibility and meaningfulness, but lower manageability compared to nonsmokers. Girls had lower scores on three SOC dimensions if they were smokers.

Medium

Geada, Portugal, 1994 [37]

To discover the extent to which perceptions of family environment and parental separation influence the development of SOC and how this structure copes with discrimination against illicit drug use behaviors.

471

15-18 Adolescents

Descriptive Cross-sectional

Consumption of illegal substances

(cannabis, hashish, heroin, and

cocaine)

Non-probabilistic

Adolescents with significantly stronger SOC were non-users of illegal substances compared to users.

Medium

Glanz et al., United States, 2005 [38]

To examine the relationship between ethnicity, SOC and tobacco use.

3438

Average of 12 Adolescents

Descriptive Cross-sectional

Tobacco use

Probabilistic

Adolescents with a strong SOC showed less smoking behavior both ever and during the past 30 days.

High

Grevenstein et al., Germany, 2016 [39]

To examine the incremental validity of SOC on factors for long-term predictors of substance use (cannabis), alcohol, tobacco.

318

14 – 24 Young

Longitudinal

Consumption of illegal substances (cannabis)

Alcohol use

Tobacco use

Probabilistic

At age of 15 years, having a weak SOC was associated with tobacco use; however, no association was found with alcohol and cannabis use. Having a strong SOC was associated with a reduction in smoking habits at 15 years old and at 24 years old.

High

Kuuppelomäki et al., Finland, 2003 [40]

To measure the strength of SOC and monitor its development for 3 years. In addition, to study the association of smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical exercise with SOC.

284

18-24 Young

Longitudinal

Alcohol use

Tobacco use

Practice of physical activity

Probabilistic

Strong SOC at baseline was associated with intense physical exercise (more than three times per week). SOC was not associated with smoking and drinking. At the follow-up stage (3 years from baseline) SOC was not associated with smoking, alcohol and physical activity.

Low

Myrin et al., Sweden, 2006 [41]

Investigate the relationship between health behavior and SOC.

383

14-15 Adolescents

Descriptive Cross-sectional

Eating habits

Tobacco use

Alcohol use

Rest periods

Consumption of illegal substances (cannabis)

Probabilistic

Girls with a weak SOC were associated with several health-damaging behaviors, with statistical significance in skipping breakfast, skipping dinner, not having sports classes, alcohol consumption and going to bed after 11 pm.

High

Tilles-Tirkkonen et al., Finland, 2015 [46]

To investigate the determinants of regular consumption of a balanced school lunch, with special reference to the role of SOC.

825

10 – 17 Adolescents

Descriptive Cross-sectional

Eating Habits

Non-probabilistic

Adolescents with a strong SOC were associated with a regular intake of a nutritionally balanced school lunch.

Medium

Ullrich-Kleinmann et al., Germany, 2008 [47]

To describe the patterns and course of psychoactive use and to analyze the relevance of risk perceptions and SOC as protective factors.

318

13-16 Adolescents

Longitudinal

Alcohol use

Consumption of illegal substances

(cannabis)

Probabilistic

Adolescents with stronger SOC were significantly associated with lower alcohol and cannabis use.

High

Ustinavičienė et al., Lithuania, 2018 [48]

To evaluate the relationship between time spent playing computer games and SOC.

1806

13-18 Adolescents

Descriptive Cross-sectional

Time spent in games in the computer

Probabilistic

It was found that in adolescents aged 13 to 15 years old a weak SOC was associated with higher frequency of playing computer action games for 5 or more hours per day.

High