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The role of core self-evaluations in the coping process
John D Kammeyer-Mueller1, Timothy A Judge, Brent A Scott
1Warrington College of Business Administration, Department of Management, University of Florida, USA. kammeyjd@ufl.edu
The Journal of Applied Psychology
|February 4, 2009
Summary
Core self-evaluations (CSE) are linked to better stress management, including fewer perceived stressors and less avoidance coping. Emotional stability also plays a unique role in moderating stress and strain.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Stress and Coping Research
Background:
- Core self-evaluations (CSE) represent a stable, global assessment of one's self-worth.
- Individual differences in coping strategies significantly impact psychological well-being.
- Understanding the interplay between self-perception and stress response is crucial in psychological research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if core self-evaluations (CSE) provide an integrative framework for individual differences in coping processes.
- To examine the relationship between CSE, perceived stressors, coping strategies, and psychological strain.
- To explore the unique contribution of emotional stability to the stress and coping process.
Main Methods:
- A meta-analytic review of existing studies on CSE and coping.
- A daily diary study involving participants reporting on stressors, strain, and coping mechanisms over time.
- Statistical analyses to assess associations and moderation effects.
Main Results:
- Meta-analysis showed CSEs correlated with fewer perceived stressors, lower strain, and more problem-solving coping.
- High CSE individuals reported fewer stressors and less strain in the daily diary study.
- Emotional stability uniquely influenced the stress-coping process and moderated the stressor-strain relationship.
Conclusions:
- CSEs appear to be an important factor in adaptive stress and coping.
- Emotional stability offers a distinct yet significant contribution to understanding stress responses.
- Differentiating between self-concept (CSE) and emotionality (emotional stability) is key for a comprehensive view of psychological adjustment.
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