Confirmatory factor analysis on the measurement of five salutogenic constructs.

Abstract

The aim of the research was to establish the factor structure of five salutogenic constructs in order to better understand the dynamics of salutogenic behaviour among university administrative staff. The behavioural constructs were sense of coherence, hardiness, selfefficacy, learned resourcefulness and potency. One measuring instrument per construct was administered on a random sample of 215 staff members. Strong inter-correlations were found between all the constructs. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a three-factor structure consisting of sense of coherence/potency, hardiness/potency and selfefficacy/ learned resourcefulness. The results confirmed firstly sense of coherence and secondly hardiness as separate constructs, potency as a supporting and self-efficacy/learned resourcefulness as a third generic construct. These findings could in future be used in the development of coping mechanisms by administrative staff during stressful times such as organisational change and transformation.