The effectiveness of attention and rejection as coping styles: a meta-analysis of temporal differences

The purpose of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis [16] of research comparing the effects on physical adaptation of two cognitive strategies for coping with stressors: attention and rejection. Attention refers to focusing attention on the stressor and/or on one's rejection to it; rejection refers to focusing attention away from the stressor and/or one's reaction to it. For studies examining the immediate effects of attention and rejection, rejection produced better physical adaptation (i.e. fewer symptoms, reduced physiological responses) than attention. For studies looking at the long term effects of attention and rejection, attention produced better physical adaptation than rejection. Mechanisms which could produce these effects, and their implications, are discussed.