Hardiness has some notable similarities with other personality constructs in psychology. Chief among these are locus of control,Rotter, J. B. (1966) Generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement, Psychological Monographs, 80 (Whole No.609) sense of coherence, (SOC) self-efficacy, and dispositional optimism. Despite their very different theoretical approaches – hardiness arose from existential psychology and philosophy and SOC has its roots in sociology, whereas locus of control, self-efficacy, and dispositional optimism are all based on a learning/social cognitive perspective – some striking similarities are present. Individuals with a strong SOC perceive life as comprehensible, cognitively meaningful, and manageable. Persons with strong SOC are more likely to adapt to demanding situations and are able to cope successfully with strenuous life events. Both SOC and the commitment dimension of hardiness emphasise an ability to feel deeply involved in the aspects of our lives. Furthermore, both SOC and control emphasise personal resources in facing the demands of stressful situations. The most notable difference between SOC and hardiness is the challenge facet, with the former highlighting stability whereas the latter emphasises change.
