Cognitive coping, affective distress, and maternal sensitivity: Mothers of children with Down syndrome.

This study investigated relations among maternal cognitive coping style (approach-avoidance), affective state, and sensitivity. Fifty-six mothers and their children with Down syndrome were followed for 2 years. Cognitive coping and affective distress inventories were administered and sensitivity was rated on the basis of mother-child observations. Results indicated that approach and avoidance have been widely studied under different designations and are stable across time. These cognitive coping variables may mediate the stress of parenting a child with a disability in complex ways. Mothers with a strong tendency to monitor stressors report greater affective distress than do mothers who adopt a less vigilant coping style. At the same time, cognitive avoidance of stressors and affective distress reduce the behavioral sensitivity of the mother toward her child. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A replicated prospective investigation of life stress, coping, and depressive symptoms in multiple sclerosis

Life stress and coping responses jointly contribute to psychological adjustment in many chronic illness populations, but their significance in multiple sclerosis (MS) has not been extensively investigated. Physical disability, cognitive status, negative life stress, coping strategies, and depressive symptoms were prospectively assessed in 27 adults with definite or probable MS. Of the original subjects, 22 provided two additional assessments at 6-month intervals. After accounting for cognitive status and physical disability, life stress was positively correlated with current as well as future depressive symptoms; the prospective relationship was replicated within the second pair of prospective data waves. Escape avoidance was the only coping strategy that added to the prediction of future mood symptoms, but this was not replicated. Results suggest that MS-related depressive symptoms are a function of prior disease-related impairment, life stress, and possibly escape avoidance coping.     

The impact of self-efficacy on stressor–strain relations: Coping style as an explanatory mechanism.

The present study was designed to examine whether coping style influences the impact of self-efficacy on stressor–strain relations. It was hypothesized that high self-efficacy would weaken stressor–strain relations when accompanied by frequent use of active coping and infrequent use of avoidance coping. Data collected from 2,293 members of the U.S. Army revealed 3-way interactions among self-efficacy, role clarity, and active coping and among self-efficacy, work overload, and avoidance coping. As predicted, self-efficacy mitigated the effects of low role clarity on strain only when active coping was high. Also as expected, strain levels were lower for participants with high self-efficacy than for participants with lower self-efficacy when work overload was low but avoidance coping was high. Implications of these findings for occupational stress research are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Approach and avoidance coping responses among older problem and nonproblem drinkers": Clarification.

Reports a clarification in the article by R. H. Moos et al (Psychology and Aging, 1990[Mar], Vol 5[1], 31–40). The authors wish to note that research reported in the article by P. L. Brennan and R. H. Moos (see record 1991-10154-001) was based on the sample used in the research reported by Moos et al and that this information was inadvertently deleted in the Brennan and Moos article. (The following abstract of the article by Moos et al originally appeared in PA, Vol 77:14961.) The Coping Responses Inventory (CRI) was used to study coping among older problem and nonproblem drinkers. The CRI organizes coping efforts according to their focus (approach or avoidance) and method (cognitive or behavioral). Compared with nonproblem drinkers, older problem drinkers were more likely to use cognitive and behavioral avoidance responses to manage life stressors. Problem drinkers who experienced more negative life events and more severe stressors used both more approach and more avoidance coping. Those who had more financial and social resources relied more on approach and less on avoidance coping. Problem drinkers who relied more on avoidance coping tended to have more drinking problems and to report more depression and physical symptoms and less self-confidence. Positive reappraisal was associated with less depression and more self-confidence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cognitive appraisals, neuroticism, and openness as correlates of coping strategies: An integrative model of adptation to marital difficulties.

Investigated the factors related to the choice of 2 coping strategies, distancing/avoidance and planful problem-solving, in the context of marital relationships. The role of cognitive appraisals of marital difficulties, and personality traits of neuroticism and openness, in the choice of coping strategies used to solve marital difficulties was investigated with a sample of 200 couples (women aged 18-60 yrs; men aged 19-69 yrs). Results of standard multiple regression analyses showed for both genders that neuroticism was positively associated with distancing/avoidance, whereas openness was positively associated with planful problem-solving. In addition, results indicated that an individual who appraised his or her marital difficulties as threatening, compared to his or her resources, was more likely to use distancing/avoidance as coping strategy. Implications of these findings for coping theories are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Trauma reactivity, avoidant coping, and PTSD symptoms: A moderating relationship?

In the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event, many individuals experience physiological reactivity in response to reminders of the traumatic event that typically lessens over time. However, an overreliance on avoidant coping strategies may interfere with the natural recovery process, particularly for those who are highly reactive to trauma reminders. In the current investigation, we examined avoidant coping as a moderator of the association between heart rate reactivity to a trauma monologue measured shortly after a traumatic event and severity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms measured several months later. Fifty-five female survivors of assault completed PTSD diagnostic interviews and a self-report coping measure and participated in a trauma monologue procedure that included continuous heart rate measurement. These procedures were completed within 1 month of the assault and again 3 months postassault. After we controlled for the effect of initial symptom levels, the interaction of heart rate reactivity to the trauma monologue and avoidant coping measured at Time 1 was associated with PTSD symptom severity at Time 2. Individuals who are relatively highly reliant on avoidant coping strategies and relatively highly reactive to trauma reminders may be at greatest risk of maintaining or potentially increasing their PTSD symptoms within the first few months following the trauma. These findings may help inform early intervention efforts for survivors of traumatic events. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Hope as a method of coping.

Defines hope as an essentially positive phenomenon necessary for healthy coping, its key purpose being the avoidance of despair, with the secondary function of permitting the individual psychologically to bypass ongoing unpleasant or stressful situations. Hoping is differentiated from wishing by hope's reality-oriented focus, and from expecting or anticipating by its intense affective component. The dangerous physical and psychological consequences of the loss of hope are described, distinctions between hopelessness and depression are explored, and some methods of activating and using hope as a coping device in persons under acute stress are presented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Coping and Anxiety in Women Recalled for Additional Diagnostic Procedures Following an Abnormal Screening Mammogram.

This study characterized women's concurrent and subsequent levels of emotional distress associated with a questionable mammogram screening and relationships between women's coping and psychosocial adjustment. State anxiety was assessed in 98 women 1 day after receiving a mammogram screening (Time 1), after notification of a questionable screening result that necessitated additional testing (Time 2), and after being informed of their breast-cancer-free status (Time 3). Key findings include (a) women reported a significant increase in anxiety following notification of the need to return for follow-up testing; (b) significant and positive associations were found between anxiety and behavioral approach, behavioral avoidance, cognitive approach, and cognitive avoidance coping in cross-sectional analyses; and (c) cognitive avoidance coping was a strong predictor of final levels of state anxiety in women. Findings suggest that cognitive avoidance coping plays an important role in reducing anxiety in women recalled to clarify an initially ambiguous screening procedure. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Approach and avoidance coping responses among older problem and nonproblem drinkers.

The Coping Responses Inventory (CRI) was used to study coping among older problem and nonproblem drinkers. The CRI organizes coping efforts according to their focus (approach or avoidance) and method (cognitive or behavioral). Compared with nonproblem drinkers, older problem drinkers were more likely to use cognitive and behavioral avoidance responses to manage life stressors. Problem drinkers who experienced more negative life events and more severe stressors used both more approach and more avoidance coping. Those who had more financial and social resources relied more on approach and less on avoidance coping. Problem drinkers who relied more on avoidance coping tended to have more drinking problems and to report more depression and physical symptoms and less self-confidence. Positive reappraisal was associated with less depression and more self-confidence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Culturally competent interventions for abused and suicidal African American women.

This article focuses on interventions with low-income, African American women who are survivors of domestic abuse and who have made one or more suicide attempts. The authors review the literature on domestic abuse and suicidal behavior in African American women, and discuss the association between abuse and suicide in this population. Next, they propose an integrated theoretical model for understanding suicidal behavior as one possible coping response to the stress of a domestic abuse situation. The model utilizes concepts from the literature on stress and coping as well as stages of change. A culturally sensitive group treatment intervention that is based on the theoretical model is presented. The intervention focuses on ensuring women's safety, increasing coping skills and resource mobilization, and promoting supportive relationships in a manner that is consistent with each woman's sociocultural context. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Influence of dispositional coping strategies on physical complaints and life satisfaction in the elderly

Well-being and mental and physical health in old age are influenced in a significant way by the fact that it is possible to cope successfully with ongoing hazards, threats and problems. In recent years coping research has shown increasing interest in coping processes in the elderly. Most of the studies are focused on age-related differences in coping processes and on the issue of change or stability of coping in old age. However, the goal of our study was to examine the impact of dispositional coping strategies, conceptualized as consistent personality characteristics, on physical complaints and life satisfaction among the elderly. We recurred on the model of coping modes by Krohne, which postulates two statistically independent person-specific coping dimensions named "vigilance" and "cognitive avoidance". Based on this model it is possible to identify the "classical" coping styles of "sensitization" (high vigilance and low cognitive avoidance) and "repression" (low vigilance and high cognitive avoidance). In our study, including 766 subjects older than 60 years, we found a higher frequency of "repressors" than of "sensitizers". Results show that dispositional coping strategies are significant moderator variables of both physical complaints and life satisfaction: Older people who prefer a cognitive-avoidant coping strategy ("repressors") are more satisfied with their life and have less complaints than "sensitizers".     

Coping with conflict situations: Middle-aged and elderly men.

In this study we investigated the coping responses of fairly healthy, middle-aged (40–64 years, n?=?76) and elderly (65–92 years, n?=?106) men to five conflict situations (i.e., decision making, defeat in a competitive circumstance, frustration, authority conflict, and peer disagreement). Coping responses were measured by the Life Situations Inventory, developed to assess three forms of coping: problem-solving, avoidance, and resignation. Scales were based on a 28-item questionnaire and were derived rationally through item analysis. Alpha coefficients ranged from .75 to .82. Elderly subjects used avoidance significantly less often than did middle-aged subjects in handling decision-making and authority-conflict situations. No differences were noted between the age groups in use of problem solving or resignation. Both middle-age and elderly persons favored use of problem solving in managing all conflicts. Results suggest that studies that do not address potential interactions between age and stress situation may be missing an important element in the age–coping relation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Emotional intelligence, personality, and task-induced stress.

Emotional intelligence (EI) may predict stress responses and coping strategies in a variety of applied settings. This study compares EI and the personality factors of the Five Factor Model (FFM) as predictors of task-induced stress responses. Participants (N = 200) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 task conditions, 3 of which were designed to be stressful. Results confirmed that low EI was related to worry states and avoidance coping, even with the FFM statistically controlled. However, EI was not specifically related to task-induced changes in stress state. Results also confirmed that Neuroticism related to distress, worry, and emotion-focused coping, and Conscientiousness predicted use of task-focused coping. The applied utility of EI and personality measures is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Personality, coping, and family resources in stress resistance: A longitudinal analysis.

A longitudinal analysis was conducted in which stress-resistance factors in the areas of personality, coping, and family support assessed at an initial testing were used to predict psychological and physical adjustment 1 yr later, controlling for initial adjustment. 245 men (mean age 46.8 yrs) and 248 women (mean age 44 yrs) in randomly selected families in the San Francisco Bay area were surveyed on psychosomatic symptoms and depression, negative life changes, personality characteristics, avoidance coping, and family support. Findings show that feelings of self-confidence, an easy-going disposition, a disinclination to use avoidance coping, and the availability of family support operated jointly to protect Ss from negative psychological consequences of life stress. For women, stress resistance was related to emotional and physical distress; for men, resistance was associated with emotional distress. Negative life changes predicted depression and psychosomatic complaints in both sexes even when initial distress was considered. Results support previous research on the causal role of stress resistance in emotional and physical health. (38 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Coping With Employment Uncertainty: A Comparison of Employed and Unemployed Workers.

This study examined coping with stress associated with employment uncertainty for comparable samples of laid-off and employed high-technology workers. It was expected that different coping strategies would be associated with perceived stress for employed vs. unemployed people. Although unemployed participants reported higher levels of stress compared with employed participants, employment uncertainty mediated the association between employment status and perceived stress. Emotion-focused coping strategies were related to higher perceived stress, whereas problem-focused coping strategies were related to lower perceived stress. The use of emotional avoidance as a strategy moderated the effect of employment uncertainty on perceived stress, such that a greater propensity to endorse avoidance coping strategies was associated with higher levels of stress particularly under low uncertainty conditions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The role of core self-evaluations in the coping process.

In 2 studies, the authors investigated whether core self-evaluations (CSE) serve as an integrative framework for understanding individual differences in coping processes. A meta-analytic review demonstrated that CSEs were associated with fewer perceived stressors, lower strain, less avoidance coping, more problem-solving coping, and were not strongly related to emotion-focused coping. Consistent with the meta-analytic results, a daily diary study demonstrated that individuals with high CSE perceived fewer stressors, experienced less strain after controlling for stressors, and engaged in less avoidance coping. However, both studies demonstrated that emotional stability was uniquely related to the stress and coping process and that emotional stability moderated the relationship between stressors and strain. The discussion focuses on the distinction between depressive self-concept represented by CSE and the anxiety and worry represented by emotional stability. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Changes in alcoholic patients' coping responses predict 12-month treatment outcomes.

Patient subtypes (Types A and B alcoholism), determinants, and outcomes associated with changes in coping responses of 133 alcoholic patients in the year following admission to treatment were examined. In general, patients' use of avoidance coping declined and use of approach coping increased. Type B patients used more avoidance coping than did Type A patients, but the subtypes did not differ in rate of change in coping. As a determinant of coping, cognitive appraisal of threat showed a trend toward predicting avoidance coping at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Decreased cognitive avoidance coping (e.g., daydreaming) predicted fewer alcohol, psychological, and interpersonal problems. Increased behavioral approach coping (e.g., taking action) predicted lower severity of alcohol problems. Further study of changes in the cognitive aspects of coping (i.e., appraisals and cognitive avoidance coping) is needed to determine mechanisms underlying cognitive processes associated with treatment outcomes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Handbook of multicultural perspectives on stress and coping.

Reviews the book, Handbook of Multicultural Perspectives on Stress and Coping edited by Philip T. P. Wong and Lillian C. J. Wong (see record 2006-01105-000). Paul and Lilian Wong's edited Handbook of Multicultural Perspectives on Stress and Coping does not shy away from the challenges inherent in cross-cultural work. In their opening chapter, they establish quickly that they are setting out to do more than simply compare cultures on established markers of stress and coping. In addition, perhaps primarily, they wish to broaden our very ideas of what stress and coping actually are by taking seriously the ways in which these concepts are understood in different cultures. Particularly welcome in this regard is the full consideration of religious, spiritual, and existential modes of coping, modes that are extremely common throughout the world--and probably more common in "the West" than is commonly acknowledged by largely secular psychologists. In his concluding review, Paul Pedersen provides a sobering inventory of the knowledge gaps in the culture, stress, and coping literature. The current volume is a welcome addition to this growing field, providing researchers with useful tools and intriguing hypotheses for use in future studies. Unfortunately, the book's coherence also suffers as a consequence of the uneven literature. That said, the difficulties in putting together a book such as this one should not be underestimated. The editors did an outstanding job of involving a number of cultural perspectives, both in terms of the writers themselves and also the topics they have chosen to study. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Avoidance–approach: The fifth basic conflict.

The basic conflicts are usually listed as approach–approach, approach–avoidance, avoidance–avoidance, and double approach–avoidance conflict. The possibility of avoidance–approach conflict, in which a steeper gradient of approach intersects a gradient of avoidance, has been ignored because it is assumed that approach gradients cannot be steeper than avoidance gradients and that even if avoidance–approach conflict could exist, it would be of no interest, as the individual would simply stay away from the conflicting goal. The present article shows that approach gradients can often be steeper than avoidance gradients. It is further noted that individuals can be placed in situations not of their choosing. It is suggested that if an individual with an avoidance–approach conflict is placed on the goal side of the intersection of the gradients, the person may enthusiastically approach a goal that had previously been avoided. Thus, avoidance–approach conflict may account for ego-alien behavior, such as when a shy, inhibited "model" boy commits a violent crime of passion. Implications and causes of avoidance–approach conflict in everyday life are discussed. (32 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)