Advancing complex explanatory conceptualizations of daily negative and positive affect: trigger and maintenance
David M Dunkley1, Denise Ma1, Ihno A Lee2
1Department of Psychiatry, Lady Davis Institute-Jewish General Hospital.
Journal of Counseling Psychology
|January 23, 2014
Summary
This study reveals how perfectionism influences daily mood. It found that disengagement coping patterns worsen negative feelings, while engagement coping promotes positive affect, offering insights for therapy.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Health Psychology
Background:
- A gap exists between psychological research and clinical practice regarding coping mechanisms.
- Understanding how coping patterns trigger and maintain affect is crucial for mental health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop complex conceptualizations of coping action patterns.
- To examine how these patterns trigger and maintain daily negative and positive affect.
- To investigate the role of perfectionism in these processes.
Main Methods:
- 196 community adults completed measures of perfectionism.
- A 14-day daily diary methodology assessed appraisals, coping, and affect.
- Multilevel structural equation modeling (MSEM) was employed for data analysis.
Main Results:
- Disengagement coping patterns (appraisals and avoidant coping) were linked to increased negative affect and decreased positive affect.
- Disengagement maintenance patterns explained persistent negative affect in individuals with self-critical perfectionism.
- Engagement patterns (appraisals like social support and problem-focused coping) were associated with increased positive affect.
Conclusions:
- Daily diary methods and MSEM can elucidate coping patterns relevant to clinical work.
- Identifying trigger and maintenance coping patterns can help therapists and clients understand and address emotional difficulties.
- These findings support therapeutic goals of reducing distress and enhancing resilience.
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