Facets of accommodative coping in adulthood

Accommodative coping has often been measured as a one-dimensional disposition with the Flexible Goal Adjustment Questionnaire (FGA; Brandtstädter & Renner, 1990). Because several ways of accommodative coping have been proposed, we constructed the Accommodative Coping Facets Questionnaire (ACCO-5), a multidimensional questionnaire encompassing five dimensions: positive reappraisal/personal growth, lowering of aspirations/acceptance, downward comparison, reorientation, and detachment from goal. The present study examined (a) the multidimensional structure of accommodative coping, (b) the correlations between the ACCO-5 dimensions, age, and indicators of positive adaptation, and (c) differences in age correlations that result from a dispositional and goal-specific approach to accommodation. Study 1 (N = 702) investigated the dimensional structure of ACCO-5 dimensions (disposition) and showed significant correlations with age and positive adaptation. Study 2 (N = 150) investigated the correlations with the FGA Scale. In Study 3 (N = 321) ACCO-5 was applied to concrete blocked goals reported by the individuals. This study showed no age differences but significant correlations between the ACCO-5 dimensions and indicators of positive adaptation. Study 4 (N = 240) investigated the correlations between goal-specific ACCO-5, subjective goal control, and age. In summary, the present paper provides evidence that the components of ACCO-5 do measure similar, but not identical facets of a complex construct in developmental regulation. Differentiating between these facets contributes to a better understanding of the structure and function of accommodative processes in adulthood. We emphasize that the differentiated assessment of these facets is important for intervention studies or longitudinal research examining the complexity and dynamics of accommodative coping. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).