Psychosocial correlates of self-reported coping among Japanese Americans interned during World War II

This study investigated psychosocial correlates of self-reported internment coping among Japanese Americans who were incarcerated during World War II. Economic, physical, emotional, and total coping were assessed in relation to demographics, distal internment characteristics (age interned and length of internment), proximal internment variables (internment talk with parents, negative internment communications and emotions, in-group preference and associations), and individual personality variables (self-esteem and locus of control). Although relationships with distal variables were nonsignificant, proximal variables of negative communications and emotions and preference for Japanese Americans were significantly associated with coping reports. Self-esteem, locus of control, and income were partial mediators of internment coping ratings. Findings are discussed in relation to the complexities of assessing long-term coping responses to historical trauma.