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Does repressive coping promote resilience? Affective-autonomic response discrepancy during bereavement
Karin G Coifman1, George A Bonanno, Rebecca D Ray
1Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA. kgc15@columbia.edu
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|May 2, 2007
Summary
Repressive coping, or avoiding negative emotions, may promote resilience after trauma. Individuals using repressive coping showed fewer health problems and better adjustment, suggesting a protective function.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychophysiology
- Trauma Studies
Background:
- Traditional coping theories focus on expressing negative emotions after trauma.
- Emerging research suggests repressive coping (avoiding negative affect) may enhance resilience.
- Repressive coping involves a discrepancy between emotional experience and physiological arousal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential resilience-promoting function of repressive coping.
- To examine the relationship between repressive coping and psychological/physical health outcomes.
- To assess the adjustment of individuals exhibiting repressive coping behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Assessed repressive coping by measuring the discrepancy between self-reported affect and sympathetic nervous system (SNS) response.
- Compared bereaved and nonbereaved individuals based on their coping style.
- Evaluated symptoms of psychopathology, health problems, somatic complaints, and social adjustment ratings from friends.
Main Results:
- Individuals exhibiting repressive coping reported fewer psychopathology symptoms.
- Repressive coping was associated with fewer health problems and somatic complaints.
- Those using repressive coping were rated as better adjusted by their friends.
Conclusions:
- Repressive coping may serve a protective function, particularly following highly aversive events.
- Findings align with cognitive and neuroimaging research on emotion regulation.
- Further research is warranted to understand the mechanisms underlying repressive coping's benefits.
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