Childhood vulnerability and adult invincibility*

Abstract

This study is salutogenic, focusing on the people who cope successfully with the handicapping background of a high-risk childhood. Of those aged 0–15 in 1947 in a total population survey of 2 Swedish parishes, 221 persons with 3 or more childhood psychiatric risk factors were identified. Personal interviews were conducted with 148 of them in 1988–1989. Four measures were used: the Sense of Coherence Scale, the Symptom Distress Checklist, the Quality of Life Scale, and a qualitative overall measure of health status using all interview material. Data analysis focuses on stressing the considerable proportion who managed to overcome their handicapped backgrounds. The sense of coherence is proposed as a powerful explanatory variable in such success.