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Engaging in Rather than Disengaging from Stress: Effective Coping and Perceived Control
Maria T M Dijkstra1, Astrid C Homan2
1Organization Sciences, VU University Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Frontiers in Psychology
|October 7, 2016
Summary
Effective stress coping strategies enhance psychological well-being by increasing perceived control. Engaged coping boosts control and well-being, while disengaged coping reduces them. Understanding this relationship is key for mental health.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Health Psychology
- Stress and Coping Research
Background:
- Effective stress management is crucial for maintaining psychological well-being.
- The differential effectiveness of various coping strategies in mitigating stress impacts remains an area of investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of different coping strategies in buffering stress.
- To examine the mediating role of perceived control in the relationship between coping strategies and psychological well-being.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study with a diverse sample (N=543) in the Netherlands.
- Assessment of seven distinct coping strategies, perceived control, and psychological well-being.
Main Results:
- Engaged coping strategies (e.g., active confronting, reassuring thoughts) positively correlated with perceived control and psychological well-being.
- Disengaged coping strategies (e.g., passive reaction, avoidance) were associated with lower perceived control and negative psychological well-being outcomes.
- Expressing emotions showed a negative association with perceived control and well-being, while seeking social support had an indirect positive effect via perceived control.
Conclusions:
- Perceived control significantly mediates the relationship between coping strategies and psychological well-being.
- Engaged coping is beneficial for well-being, whereas disengaged coping is detrimental.
- The findings support a stress as an environment-perception-response process model.
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