Appraised Changeability of a Stressor as a Modifier of the Relationship Between Coping and Depression: A Test of the Hypothesis of Fit

The goodness of fit among the appraised changeability of a stressor, coping, and depression in people with psychiatric, physical health, work, and family problems was examined ( N = 746). It was expected that problem-focused coping (as opposed to emotion-focused coping) would be used more and be mor...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of personality and social psychology 1990-09, Vol.59 (3), p.582-592
Main Authors: Vitaliano, Peter P, DeWolfe, Deborah J, Maiuro, Roland D, Russo, Joan, Katon, Wayne
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological
Adjustment Disorders - psychology
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
Cohort Studies
Coping Behavior
Depression (Emotion)
Disorders
Emotions
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Human
Humans
Internal-External Control
Life Change Events
Major Depression
Male
Mental depression
Mental Disorders - psychology
Mental health
Mental stress
Perceptions
Personality Tests
Personality. Affectivity
Problem Solving
Psychology
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Psychopathology
Risk Factors
Social Environment
Social research
Social Support
Stress
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Summary:The goodness of fit among the appraised changeability of a stressor, coping, and depression in people with psychiatric, physical health, work, and family problems was examined ( N = 746). It was expected that problem-focused coping (as opposed to emotion-focused coping) would be used more and be more adaptive in situations appraised as changeable as compared with situations appraised as not changeable. Although few relationships existed between appraisal and coping, tests of fit between coping and depressed mood (maladaption) were much stronger. In people with nonpsychiatric conditions, problem-focused coping and depressed mood were negatively related when a stressor was appraised as changeable but were unrelated when a stressor was appraised as not changeable. Emotion-focused coping was positively related to depression when a stressor was appraised as changeable. No general relations were observed in the people with psychiatric conditions.
ISSN:0022-3514
1939-1315
DOI:10.1037/0022-3514.59.3.582