Sense of coherence is associated with the presence of healthy lifestyles in the migrant population

Alfonso Urzua ^1* Diego Henríquez ² Alejandra Caqueo-Urízar ³ Tiare Salazar ¹ María Esquivel ¹ Rocio Díaz ¹ Fernanda Hoppe ¹

• ¹ Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta, Chile
• ² Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan Region (RM), Chile
• ³ Instituto de Alta Investigación, Universidad de Tarapacá, Arica, Chile

Background: Despite the evidence of the sense of coherence (SOC) as a key factor in stress management and health promotion, there is little information about its connection with healthy lifestyles in migrant population. Objective: To investigate the relationship between the variables SOC and Healthy Lifestyles in a south-south migrant population. Study design: Non-experimental, crosssectional and correlational study. Method: A total of 1844 migrants living in Chile participated, selected through a non-probabilistic intentional sampling. The SOC and lifestyle were assessed by applying the FANTASTICO and SOC-13 instruments. Results: SOC was positively correlated with lifestyle in the migrant population. Sex differences in SOC were identified, suggesting that men have greater access to resources. Age was also positively correlated with SOC and healthy lifestyle. Overall, the importance of considering the particularities of each group in health promotion in migration contexts is emphasized. Conclusions: This research supports the hypothesis that a strong SOC is positively related to a healthy lifestyle in migrants. The differences found could be explained by sociocultural resources and norms, suggesting the importance of comprehensively addressing aspects related to the mental and physical health of the migrant population, especially in complex migratory contexts.