Goal disturbance, cognitive coping strategies, and psychological adjustment to different types of stressful life event

Abstract

The present study focused on: (1) differences in goal disturbance, cognitive coping strategies, and depressive symptoms across different types of stressful event; (2) the relationships among goal disturbance, cognitive coping strategies, and depressive symptoms; and (3) differences across events in the relationships between cognitive coping strategies and depressive symptoms. A sample of 132 college students filled in a written questionnaire. They were asked to indicate their most stressful event in the past 12 months. These events were categorised into four different types of event. Students were also asked to report the amount of goal disturbance and the use of cognitive coping strategies in response to this particular stressful event. In addition, depressive symptoms were measured. Results showed significant differences across events in the use of certain cognitive coping strategies. Regression analyses showed significant relationships between cognitive coping strategies and depressive symptoms. These relationships between cognitive coping strategies and depressive symptoms were rather consistent across the four types of event. Implications for developing interventions that help people to deal with stress and attain their personal goals are discussed.