Avoidance-focused Coping Research Articles

Comparison of Spiritual Well-Being and Coping Strategies of Patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and with Minor General Medical Conditions

The purpose of the present study was to compare the spiritual well-being and coping strategies of patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and those with general medical conditions (GMC). The sample was comprised of 40 participants with GAD fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of DSM IV-TR and 50 participants with GMC. The descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and independent sample t test were used for data analysis. The results revealed the significant negative correlation of spiritual wellness with GAD symptoms and positive correlation between spiritual wellness, active practical and religious-focused coping strategies. The independent sample t test showed that spiritual wellness of participants with GMC was higher than participants with GAD. Moreover, out of 13 dimensions of spiritual wellness inventory, the scores of participants with minor general medical conditions in the dimensions of conception of divinity, present centeredness, hope, forgiveness, conscientiousness and spiritual freedom remained significantly higher than those with GAD. The participants with GMC used more active practical coping strategies and religious-focused coping strategies than participants with GAD. There was no difference between two groups of participants in using active distracting coping strategies, while avoidance-focused coping strategies were used by participants with GAD more than those with GMC.

BIS and cognitive appraisals in predicting coping strategies

Previous research has indicated that the Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) is associated with coping, appraisals, and a variety of thoughts and behaviors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of personality variables, such as BIS, and cognitive appraisals in the coping process. This study evaluated young adults’ self-reported use of emotion- and avoidance-focused coping strategies when faced with stress, as well as their cognitive appraisals of the stress. It was hypothesized that cognitive appraisals would mediate the relationship between the BIS and emotion- and avoidance-focused coping forms. Undergraduate psychology students (n=242) completed a battery of questionnaires assessing BIS, cognitive appraisals, and coping behaviors. Consistent with our hypotheses, bootstrapping mediation analyses indicated that cognitive appraisals of stress mediated the relationship between BIS and emotion- and avoidance-focused coping strategies. These results provide support for the role of BIS in influencing coping behaviors through cognition.

Mehanizmi suočavanja sa stresom, optimizam i generalna samoefikasnost kao prediktori psihofizičkog zdravlja

Osnovni cilj istraživanja podrazumevao je proveru prediktivne moći mehanizama suočavanja sa stresom, optimizma i generalne samoefikasnosti u odnosu na ukupan skor na Skali psihofizičkog zdravlja, koji je figurisao u svojstvu kriterijumske varijable. Isti složaj prediktorskih varijabli koristili smo u pokušaju predviđanja pojedinih aspekata psihofizičkog zdravlja koji se odnose na: poremećaj fizičkog zdravlja, strah i anksioznost, depresivne reakcije, umor, te poremećaj socijalnog ponašanja. Istraživanje je sprovedeno na prigodnom uzorku od 269 studenata Univerziteta u Novom Sadu, oba pola. Obuhvaćeni su studenti osnovnih i diplomskih studija. Radi operacionalizacije spomenutih varijabli, korišćeni su sledeći instrumenti: Skala psihofizičkog zdravlja, Life Orientation Test-Revised, kojim se meri dispozicioni optimizam, Skala opšte samoefikasnosti i Brief COPE kojim su mere operacionalizovani mehanizmi suočavanja sa stresom. Analizom faktorske strukture skale Brief COPE izdvojena su tri faktora, uvrštena u set prediktorskih varijabli: Traženje socijalne podrške, Suočavanje usmereno na problem i Suočavanje izbegavanjem. Kao značajni prediktori opšteg psihofizičkog zdravlja izdvojili su se: Suočavanje izbegavanjem (β = .24, p < .01), Optimizam (β = -.35, p < .01) i Opšta samoefikasnost (β = -.18, p < .05). Kad je reč o pojedinačnim aspektima psihofizičkog zdravlja, koji su u naknadnim analizama imali status kriterijumskih varijabli, pomenuti složaj prediktora pokazao se značajnim u predviđanju svakog pojedinačnog aspekta. Upoređujući pojedinačne doprinose prediktorskih varijabli, ustanovljeno je da se varijabilnost psihofizičkog zdravlja u svim razmatranim aspektima može objasniti razlikama u stepenu optimizma i prijemčivosti za strategiju izbegavanja.

Coping mediates relationships between reinforcement sensitivity and symptoms of psychopathology

Limited research has evaluated whether coping strategies mediate the relationships between reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) and symptoms of psychopathology. Undergraduates (n=293) completed questionnaires assessing RST, coping, and symptoms of psychopathology. Consistent with our hypotheses, bootstrapping analyses indicated that emotion- and avoidance-focused coping mediated the relationship between high Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) and depression, anxiety, and worry. Less problem-focused coping mediated the relationship between low Behavioral Approach System (BAS) and depression. Avoidance-focused coping mediated the effects of high BIS on drug and alcohol use whereas high BAS directly predicted alcohol and drug use. Unexpectedly, emotion-focused coping mediated the relationship between BAS and anxiety and worry. These results provide support for the hypothesis that personality variables are associated with psychopathology partially through coping.

Coping, Self-Esteem and Quality of Life of Women with Infertility

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship among coping, self- esteem and quality of life of women with infertility. Asample of 100 women aged above 25 years (M = 30, SD = 4.34) diagnosed with infertility was included. Coping strategies Questionnaire, Rosenberg self-esteem scale - Urdu version and quality of life Brief - Urdu version were used. In the present study Pearson Product Moment Correlation was run for analyzing the relationship between the variables. Coping strategies and quality of life had some significant relationship. Apositive correlation was found between Active distracting coping and psychological health related quality of life. Anegative correlation was found between Active avoidance coping and psychological health domains of quality of life. Furthermore negative correlation was identified between Avoidance focused coping and psychological health, social relationships and environmental related Quality of life. The results seem to indicate that more the avoidance-focused coping women use the poorer is their quality of life. It can be implied that quality of life of women with infertility needs special attention and healthy coping can help them to better cope with the distress related of infertility.

Coping mediates the relationship between revised reinforcement sensitivity and alcohol use

This study examined the influence of reward sensitivity (BAS) and threat sensitivity (FFFS) on alcohol use and investigated the mediating role of dispositional coping in this relationship. Specifically, it was proposed that FFFS may exert indirect effects on alcohol use by promoting use of maladaptive coping strategies (e.g. avoidance-focused coping, emotion-focused coping). In contrast, it was expected that BAS would have a direct effect on alcohol use not mediated by coping. The final sample comprised of 337 participants (age, M=26.95, SD=10.61) who completed questionnaire measures of alcohol use, BAS/FFFS, and coping. Path analyses controlling for measurement error (AMOS), revealed significant direct effects of BAS and indirect effects of FFFS on alcohol use. Specifically, the relationship between FFFS and alcohol use was found to be mediated by avoidance-focused coping and emotion-focused coping. It was concluded that the relationship between FFFS and alcohol use can be partly explained by use of maladaptive coping strategies, suggesting that reducing reliance on avoidance-focused, while increasing use of problem-focused and emotion-focused coping may be an effective intervention for individuals with heightened threat sensitivity (i.e. high FFFS).

Seeing the silver lining: potential benefits of trauma exposure in college students

In the current study we compare college students exposed to a potentially traumatic event (PTE) meeting self-report criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), PTE-exposed students not meeting criteria for PTSD, and non-exposed students on measures of perceived social support, self-esteem, and optimism (i.e., personal resources) and report use of specific coping strategies. Results indicate that the PTE-exposed/probable PTSD group reported fewer personal resources, greater use of avoidance-focused coping, and less use of approach-focused coping than the other two groups. The PTE-exposed/no PTSD group reported greater perceived social support and less use of avoidance-focused coping than the non-exposed group. We discuss the findings’ implications for the prevention and treatment of trauma-related psychopathology.

Alzheimer's Aggression: Influences on Caregiver Coping and Resilience

This study assessed impact of Alzheimer's patients' aggressive behavior (AD aggression) on caregiver coping strategies (task-, emotion-, and avoidance-focused) and caregiver resilience, and examined whether coping strategy moderated the AD aggression–caregiver resilience relationship. Informal caregivers across Louisiana (N = 419) completed surveys with measures of demographics, AD aggression, caregiver coping strategies, and caregiver resilience. Task-focused coping positively related to resilience. Aggression negatively predicted caregiver resilience. Emotion- and avoidance-focused coping strategies separately interacted with aggression and increased its negative relationship to caregiver resilience. Task-focused coping showed no moderation. Implications for social work professionals are discussed.

Post-trauma symptoms following indirect exposure to the September 11th terrorist attacks: The predictive role of dispositional coping

Few data prospectively address the role of coping in the development of PTSD. In the present study, 308 undergraduates were assessed for coping prior to the 9/11 WTC attack and for PTSD symptomatology at one and three-months post-9/11. Multiple regression analyses indicated that emotion-focused coping was predictive of increased symptomatology at Month 1 and Month 3, whereas problem-focused and avoidance-focused coping were not. Specifically, analyses predicting PTSD symptom factors (Intrusions, Avoidance, Dysphoria, and Hyperarousal) indicated that greater emotion-focused coping predicted increased Dysphoria symptoms at both time points and, among females, increased levels of Hyperarousal symptoms at Month 1. The role of coping style in the development of PTSD symptomatology and its clinical implications are discussed.

Coping With the Effects of Fear of Failure: A Preliminary Investigation of Young Elite Athletes

Coping with stress is an important element in effective functioning at the elite level in sports, and fear of failure (FF) is an example of a stressor that athletes experience. Three issues underpin the present preliminary study. First, the prevalence of problems attributed to FF in achievement settings. Second, sport is a popular and significant achievement domain for children and adolescents. Third, there is a lack of research on FF in sport among this population. Therefore, the objectives of the study were to examine the effects of FF on young athletes and to find out their coping responses to the effects of FF. Interviews were conducted individually with nine young elite athletes (5 males, 4 females; ages 14–17 years). It was inferred from the data that FF affected the athletes’ well-being, interpersonal behavior, sport performance, and schoolwork. The athletes employed a combination of problem-focused, emotion-focused, and avoidance-focused coping strategies, with avoidance strategies being the most frequently reported.

Coping and Suicidal Ideations in Women with Symptoms of Postpartum Depression

Objective To explore the relationship between coping mechanisms and suicidal ideations among women who experience symptoms of postpartum depression. Design This exploratory descriptive study used secondary data from a study of women who experienced symptoms of postpartum depression. Participants Convenience and purposive sampling were used to obtain the community sample of 40 women who experienced symptoms of postpartum depression. Methods Binary logistic regression was employed to explore emotion-focused coping, avoidance-focused coping, problem-focused coping, and religious coping as predictors of suicidal ideations. Results Approximately 27% of the sample reported suicidal ideations within the past seven days. The results showed that lower levels of emotion-focused coping and higher levels of avoidance-focused and religious coping predicted suicidal ideations in participants. Problem-focused coping did not predict suicidal ideations. Conclusion Overall, our findings provide support for the importance of coping mechanisms as predictors of suicidal ideations among women who experience symptoms of postpartum depression. The results illustrate the need for health professionals to conduct routine assessments on coping strategies and thoughts of suicide when caring for postpartum women, as well as the need to integrate coping approaches in the prevention and treatment of suicidal ideations.

Competitive experience and performance status: an investigation into multidimensional anxiety and coping

In this study, we examined the influence of competitive experience (high vs. low) and performance status (current-elite vs. past-elite) upon athletes’ (N=217) multidimensional trait anxiety, self-confidence, and coping responses. Significant interaction effects showed that the current-elite group, with high experience, had the highest levels of self-confidence and most facilitative interpretation of worry symptoms. Independent variable analysis revealed that the high-experience group reported lower somatic anxiety levels than their low-experience counterparts, and viewed the use of problem- and avoidance-focused coping strategies as more and less effective respectively. Current-elite performers reported lower worry intensity and more facilitative interpretations of somatic anxiety than the past-elite performers, as well as the use of more effective problem-focused and positive emotion-focused coping. The findings highlight competitive experience and performance status as important variables in the study of multidimensional anxiety and coping.

The role of gender and negative affectivity in stressor appraisal and coping selection.

How can individual differences in stress be explained? This study investigated some of the many possible answers to this question. Specifically, it assessed the extent to which gender and negative affectivity account for differences in stressor appraisal and coping selection. A sample comprising 121 females and 96 males rated the stressfulness of four hypothetical scenarios and indicated how they would likely cope with each. Hypotheses regarding differences in stressor appraisal were confirmed, with females rating the scenarios as more stressful than males, and perceptions of stressfulness increasing with participant negative affectivity (NA). Females endorsed the use of emotion-focused coping strategies more than males, even when differences in perceived scenario stressfulness were controlled. NA was positively linked to both emotion- and avoidance-focused coping, although only the latter association remained significant after controlling for stressor appraisals. Gender x NA interaction effects were not significant. Implications for the prediction and management of stress are discussed.

Coping with posttraumatic stress disorder and comorbidity after myocardial infarction

Objective Literature on the relationship between coping strategies, posttraumatic stress after myocardial infarction (post-MI PTSD), and comorbidity is limited. This study aimed to fill this gap in literature by investigating this relationship. Method One hundred twenty patients with MI were recruited from 2 general practices and interviewed using the Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale, the General Health Questionnaire, and the COPE Scale. Results Thirty-one percent had PTSD. Patients used acceptance-focused coping in that most of them accepted that the MI had happened and that it could not be changed. At the same time, some patients used avoidance-focused coping in that they disengaged themselves mentally and behaviorally from the traumatic effects of MI. When the variables of age, bypass surgery, mental health problems before MI, and angioplasty were held constant, the results showed that patients who used maladaptive coping strategies of emotion-focused and avoidance-focused copings tended to report more comorbid symptoms. Patients who underwent medical procedures or interventions such as bypass surgery and angioplasty tended to report more PTSD symptoms. Conclusions The way in which MI patients' coping strategies relate to health outcomes has been shown to be symptom-specific. Using maladaptive coping strategies does not necessarily have a significant impact on PTSD symptoms. On the other hand, medical procedures or interventions for treating MI can play a major role in maintaining PTSD symptoms for patients with MI.

An Examination of the Relationship between Early Maladaptive Schemas, Coping, and Emotional Response to Athletic Injury

The present study examined the relationship between cognitive vulnerabilities, coping strategy, and emotional response to athletic injury among 40 NCAA Division I injured athletes. It was hypothesized that the presence of early maladaptive schemas (EMS) and avoidant coping strategies would predict greater emotional distress among injured athletes. Early maladaptive schemas were assessed by the Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form, which injured athletes completed upon injury. Coping strategies were measured by the Coping Response Inventory Adult Form, which was completed upon the completion of recovery. The Profile of Mood States was used to assess mood, and was completed during three phases of injury: upon injury, middle of rehabilitation, and upon recovery. As predicted, hierarchical multiple regression analysis demonstrate that EMSs and avoidance-focused coping were associated with higher levels of negative mood among injured athletes. The results also indicate that the relationship between EMS and mood vary based on the phase of injury, suggesting that different EMSs are differentially related to subtle differences in stressors encountered during each phase of the injury process.

Adolescent Gambling: Understanding the Role of Stress and Coping

The central variables of stress, coping, and gambling severity were examined along three lines of inquiry. The first addressed whether adolescents with gambling problems reported a greater number of minor or major stressful (i.e., negative) life events relative to others. The second examined whether more with gambling problems employed less-effective coping styles, such as those characterized as less task- or solution-focused, and more emotion- or avoidance-focused coping. Finally, the third question explored whether adolescents' coping styles mediated the association between stress and gambling severity. Ranging from 11 to 20 years of age, 2,156 high-school students completed instruments assessing gambling involvement, gambling severity, stressful life events, and coping styles. Results indicated that, overall, adolescents with gambling-related problems reported more negative life events relative to social gamblers and non-gamblers. When negative life events were further separated into major and minor events, results revealed that problem gamblers reported more major negative life events but not more minor negative life events relative to others. Results indicated that adolescents with gambling-related problems used less task-focused coping, and more avoidance-focused coping. Males, but not females, who experience gambling-related problems reported using more emotion-focused coping strategies. Finally, emotion-oriented coping was found to mediate the relationship between negative life events and gambling severity. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Psychological coping style versus disease extent, tumour treatment and quality of life in successfully treated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients

To study self-reported coping style by the COPE questionnaire and the association to tumour node distant metastasis (TNM) stage, received treatment and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a population of successfully treated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. Disease free HNSCC patients were interviewed during a regular outpatient visit to the Department. All patients <80 years who had been diagnosed with HNSCC, in Western Norway, in the period from 1992 to 1997 and who were disease free in the year 2000 were included. The HNSCC patients were studied by the European organization for research and treatment of cancer quality of life (QoL) questionnaire and by the COPE questionnaire from which coping styles profiles were extracted. Clinical and socio-demographic variables were also gathered. Level of problem focused coping style was associated with the T stage and whether or not the patient was given neck radiotherapy. An avoidance-focused coping style was generally associated with lowered HRQoL. Employment of emotional focused coping was associated with low HRQoL among the patients treated with surgery only, and associated with increased HRQoL among patients treated with radiation therapy only. The associations between HRQoL and coping style levels were stronger for HRQoL indexes reflecting cognitive/emotional function than for HRQoL indexes reflecting physical function. In former HNSCC patients, level of problem focused coping style was associated with the T stage and if given neck radiotherapy. Level of avoidance coping was inversely associated with the HRQoL, and level of emotional coping was associated with HRQoL in a complex manner.

Pakistani adolescents’ coping with stress: effect of loss of a parent and gender of adolescents

The present study examined the effect of parental loss and gender of adolescents on their coping with stress. Sample included those adolescents who had either of their parents died ( N=40) and those having both living parents ( N=40). It was hypothesized that adolescents with one parent alive would differ in their ways of coping with stress compared to those who have both living parents. It was also hypothesized that there would be gender differences in adolescents’ coping. Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ, Kausar, 1996) was used to assess adolescents’ coping. Data was analysed using t-test and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Analyses showed that avoidance-focused coping was the most frequently used and active distractive coping was the least frequently used strategy by the adolescents. Adolescents with both living parents employed more active distractive and religious-focused coping compared to those with one parent alive. Girls employed significantly more strategies to cope with stress compared to boys. Results also revealed interactive effect of parental loss and gender on coping strategies used by adolescents. The findings suggest that death of either of the parents and gender of the adolescent is important determinants of the ways adolescents deal with stress.

Situational coping with loss and control over gambling in regular poker machine players

This study examined the relationship between coping with loss and impaired control over gambling in a sample of regular poker machine players (N = 226). Participants were classified into either a low control or high control group, based on their level of control over gambling behaviour as measured by the Scale of Gambling Choices (SGC; Baron, Dickerson, & Blaszczynski, 1995). Coping responses were assessed for three loss scenarios (a gambling loss, an uncontrollable loss, and a controllable loss) using a modified version of the COPE inventory (Carver, Scheier, & Weintraub, 1989). Players with low control over their gambling used significantly more avoidance-focused coping strategies than high control players, across all loss situations, regardless of the stressors appraised controllability. No significant difference was found between the groups for their use of either emotion or problem-focused coping strategies when managing losses unrelated to gambling. The results clarify earlier ambiguous findings and lend support for the role of coping in the erosion of control over gambling, as proposed by Dickerson and Baron (2000).

Coping Strategies and Mental Health Problems in a Military Unit

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of different coping styles on the development of self-reported mental health problems in a radically changing context. This was investigated, using a longitudinal design, by following soldiers from before entering service to 8 months of service. Based on their scores on the 30-item General Coping Questionnaire, soldiers were allocated to one of three groups: those whose coping styles were emotional, avoidance, or task focused. These three groups were assessed four times. The General Health Questionnaire (30-item version), Ursin's Health Inventory, and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) were used as dependent measures. Avoidance-focused soldiers reported an increase in General Health Questionnaire scores over time. Furthermore, the avoidance-focused copers revealed higher scores on the AUDIT questionnaire as well as an increase in AUDIT scores over time. The present study showed that there was an interaction of personality variables and contextual factors involved. More specifically, young subjects with a preference for an avoidance-focused coping strategy are at greater risk of experiencing symptoms of mental health problems compared with task-focused and emotion-focused subjects when exposed to a radically changing environment.