The SOC‐13 score in this research is lower than the standard value nationwide, owing to a sampling error, because the present sample included a larger number of temporary workers or unemployed individuals than there were in the general population.11 Moreover, the problem of measurement error in a survey method requiring web‐based personal computer use, as opposed to a self‐administered survey, cannot be negated.12 Therefore, caution should be exercised with regard to the general application of the scores in this survey.
In this research, the values for correlation between subscales of SOC‐13 and each SOC‐3‐UTHS item were clearly high, indicating a certain level of convergent validity.5
SOC‐3‐UTHS was less associated with CES‐D and the number of ailments than SOC13. The existence of too strong an association between SOC and mental health has been mentioned in the past. However, association with SOC‐3‐UTHS remained at −0.38. One reason for this could be the techniques used for formats in devising the SOC‐3‐UTHS items.
This study had the following limitations: it was conducted via the internet, it was cross‐sectional and the sample was limited to a local area in Japan. It would be preferable for future studies to use self‐administered questionnaires, target randomly selected citizens and have a representative Japanese sample. Moreover, it is important to study the reproducibility, the predictability of health‐related indicators from the perspective of construct validity and the stress‐buffering effects by way of longitudinal research. The semantic contents of this scale could have applicability in other countries as well as in Japan. Research on this SOC‐3‐UTHS measure is also expected to be conducted in other countries.