Self-change of psychological distress: laypersons' vs. psychologists' coping strategies

This study investigated the change processes that laypersons (N = 270) and psychologists (N = 158) reported using to overcome psychological distress. Eighty-nine percent of the community sample and 82% of the professional sample experienced at least one episode of distress. Interpersonal relationships and willpower strategies were employed commonly in both samples; medication was used infrequently. Gender, education, and previous treatment were related to coping processes among laypersons. A comparative analysis indicated that, relative to laypersons, psychologists exhibited a larger and more varied repertoire of coping strategies.