Disease controllability moderates the effect of coping efficacy on positive affect

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Health Psychology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Coping strategies are crucial for managing stress.
• The effectiveness of coping may depend on the controllability of the stressor.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally investigate if approach- vs. avoidance-oriented coping strategies have different effects under high or low stressor controllability.
• To examine the impact of coping strategies and stressor controllability on positive and negative affect.

Main Methods:

• A 2x2 experimental design was employed with undergraduate participants.
• Participants were exposed to a fictitious disease scenario manipulated for controllability (high vs. low).
• Approach- or avoidance-oriented coping behaviors were induced.

Main Results:

• A significant interaction between disease controllability and coping strategy on positive affect was observed.
• Approach coping led to higher positive affect than avoidance coping when disease control was high.
• No significant effect on negative affect was found across experimental conditions.

Conclusions:

• Stressor controllability moderates the positive effects of approach-oriented coping on positive affect.
• Promoting problem-focused, approach-oriented coping may be beneficial for controllable health stressors.
• Avoidance coping does not appear to benefit positive affect, particularly under high controllability.