Coping Response Inventory Research Articles

An Instrument for Assessing Coping with Temptation: Psychometric Properties of the Alcohol Abuse Coping Response Inventory

In the current study, we examined psychometric properties of The Alcohol Abuse Coping Response Inventory (AACRI), a modification of the Coping with Temptation Inventory for recovering alcoholics. It demonstrated good internal reliability. Three internally consistent factors were identified, one behavioral factor, and two cognitive factors. The measure did not demonstrate adequate concurrent validity. As expected, cognitive coping responses were more predictive of later relapse than behavioral coping responses, and a combination of the two was most predictive of later relapse. In the incremental validity analysis, situational confidence was found to be most predictive of relapse outcome, while the AACRI cognitive coping subscale demonstrated adequate incremental validity. The AACRI was found to have incremental validity over the Coping Behaviours Inventory.

The Overtraining Syndrome: A Multicontextual Assessment

The present study explored the experiences of five competitive endurance athletes (1 female, 4 male) diagnosed with the overtraining syndrome (OTS). A multicontextual method of inquiry was used, which first involved a medical examination whereby OTS was diagnosed according to established criteria. In addition, 2 questionnaires were administered: the Athlete Daily Hassle Scale (Albinson & Pearce, 1998) and the Coping Response Inventory (Moos, 1992), and a semistructured interview was conducted. Individual case studies were then developed and cross-case analysis carried out. Findings from the present study illustrate that together with sport stress, nonsport stress appears to make an important contribution to the experience of those athletes diagnosed with the OTS. This finding provides evidence to support anecdotes in previous reports.

Coping Strategies in Young Male Prisoners

The general aim of this study is to analyze diverse aspects relating to the use of coping strategies among prison inmates. The specific objectives are (a) to analyze which type of coping strategies predominate among prisoners, considering both the focus and the method; (b) to relate the use of coping strategies with variables related to the prison environment: time spent in prison, previous convictions (first-time vs. repeat offenders) and custodial status (remand vs. convicted inmates); (c) to relate the coping strategies with the appraisal of the stressing situation previously described by the prisoners; and (d) to relate the cognitive level to the strategies used. The sample is composed of 107 males between 18 and 25 years of age in the Centre Penitenciari de Joves de Barcelona (Spain). The coping strategies were analyzed by means of the Coping Responses Inventory Adult Form (CRI-Adult; Moos, R.H. (1993). Coping Responses Inventory. CRI-Adult Form. Manual. Psychological Assessment, Resources, Inc., Odessa, FL.). The data indicate that the predominant strategies are those of cognitive approach. Likewise, it was found that there was a certain relationship between the appraisal of the problem described and the strategies used. The variables “time spent in prison” and “previous convictions” influenced the use of specific coping strategies. No connection between coping strategies and the intellectual level was found.

Neuropsychological and emotional changes during simulated microgravity: effects of triiodothyronine, alendronate, and testosterone

INTRODUCTION: We present the results of a two-experiment study designed to evaluate the neurocognitive and psychological effects of six-degree head-down bedrest and pharmacologic interventions (3,5,3′-triiodothyronine; T3) implemented to enhance the muscle and bone atrophy associated with simulated microgravity. Subsequently, the effects of countermeasures (alendronate and testosterone) administered to retard or reverse these T3 plus bedrest enhanced atrophic changes, were evaluated. Each participant was tested weekly for 5 weeks during Bedrest or non-bedrest (Up) conditions with the Neurobehavioral Evaluation System 2 (NES2), the Symptom Check List 90 Revised (SCL-90-R), and the Coping Responses Inventory (CRI). Resultant data were subjected to repeated measures, between groups analysis of variance testing for all 82 neurocognitive and psychological test measures. RESULTS: In Experiment 1, participants in the Placebo-Bedrest condition performed better on several neurocognitive measures compared to participants in the T3-Up condition. However, participants in the Placebo-Bedrest condition also reported more confusion. In Experiment 2 (countermeasure trials), superior coordination was observed for participants in the Testosterone-T3 condition over those in the Alendronate-T3 condition, but just the opposite for reaction time. Also, testosterone and to a lesser degree, alendronate, were associated with less self-reported emotional distress than T3 plus bedrest alone. CONCLUSION: Triiodothyronine, alendronate, and testosterone each influence participant response to simulated microgravity. Between group differences for significant findings were substantial and averaged 1.62 standard deviations. Although the observed neurocognitive effects likely pose no immediate danger for research participants, the significantly greater level of self-reported psychological symptoms by T3-Placebo and Placebo-Bedrest treated participants is of clinical importance.

Symptoms, coping strategies, and timing of presentations in patients with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer

Objective The purpose was to explore whether health education on symptoms of ovarian cancer would aid in early detection, by examining the relationship between symptoms, coping strategies, and timing of presentation in patients with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer. Methods Eighty women were included. A questionnaire consisting of a series of open questions was designed to collect information on the sequence of events from the onset of symptoms to the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. The Coping Response Inventory (CRI) was used to assess the coping strategies. Results A majority (90.0%) of women with ovarian cancer did have symptoms before the diagnosis. Abdominal pain or discomfort, abdominal distension, a palpable abdominal mass, menstrual, bowel, or urinary symptoms were the commonly reported symptoms. Eight (10.0%) patients were totally asymptomatic prior to the cancer diagnosis. The presence of bowel symptoms was significantly associated with late stage disease. Most of the patients sought medical advice within 2 weeks from the onset of symptoms. There was no association between the presence of any particular symptom(s) and the timing of presentation. There was also no correlation between the coping strategies and stage of disease and timing of presentation. On average, patients with early stage disease saw one more doctor compared to patients with late stage disease before the affirmative diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Conclusion Most patients presented early after the onset of symptoms. Health education in this regard may not be useful for early diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

Coping styles as correlates of health in high school students.

To study a large, population-based sample of adolescents with the goal of expanding our knowledge base about the relationship of coping and health outcomes. We examined 1769 nonclinical, high school students (48% girls, mean age 16 years, predominantly white) using one class period to establish a link between coping styles, health problems, and health risk behaviors. Instruments employed included the Coping Response Inventory - Youth form (abbreviated version) and the Juvenile Wellness and Health Survey. ANCOVAs were used to test the main effects of coping typology, gender, and their interaction on the five health domains. Findings were consistent with previous research and showed that approach coping correlated negatively with indicators of health problems and health risk behaviors, while avoidance coping correlated positively with these domains. The presence of both forms of coping mitigated the negative effects of avoidance coping. As early as mid-adolescence, habitual coping styles appear to be associated with significant health outcomes. In screening nonclinical samples the clinician can rely on habitual coping styles as indicators of potential health problems.

Partner Abuse Among Women Whose Children Have Been Sexually Abused: An Exploratory Study

ABSTRACT To explore partner abuse among women in families in which a child has disclosed sexual abuse, 102 mothers completed a measure of partner abuse and the Coping Responses Inventory. Results suggest that, like women in the general population, mothers of children who have been sexually abused have often experienced partner abuse. As expected, physical abuse in a current relationship was found to be related to the use of avoidance strategies in dealing with the sexual abuse disclosure. The implications for practitioners and for future research are discussed.

Relationship of the Dissociative Experiences Scale to Demographics, Symptomatology, and Coping Strategies in a New Zealand Student Sample

This study examined dissociation and its relationship to demographics, coping and symptomatology in a New Zealand student sample. The Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) performance of 137 students was examined in relation to gender and cultural identity, the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90R), and Coping Response Inventory (CRI) The results indicate that (1) overall, DES performance was similar to that of students from the United States, Scotland, and the Netherlands; (2) there were significant main effects for gender and cultural identity and an interaction of the two when SCL-90-R and CRI performances were considered; (3) there was a significant main effect for cultural identity on the DES; and (4) performance on the DES was significantly related to symptomatology and emotion-focused coping, but only for individuals of European cultural identity. Implications for the assessment of New Zealand samples are discussed.

Acute impact of severe traumatic brain injury on family structure and coping responses.

Family stress following traumatic brain injury (TBI) is well documented. Previous studies have shown that family adaptation and the use of coping strategies moderate the stresses of TBI in the long term. However, relatively little is known about the impact on the family and family response during the acute stage of recovery. The present study used Olson's Circumplex Model to examine acute changes in family structure and examined changes in coping responses pre- and post-TBI. Wives of 20 male TBI survivors completed the Couples Version of the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales-II (FACES-II) and the Coping Responses Inventory (CRI). These questionnaires were completed retrospectively for a stressful event that occurred six months prior to the TBI, then for the current period following the TBI. Results found that 60% of all families experienced a significant change in structure following TBI. As predicted by the Circumplex Model, balanced families changed most, with 70% changing to the extreme type post-TBI. Focus of coping (problem versus emotion) and coping techniques (cognitive versus behavioral) also changed significantly from pre- to post-TBI and differed, depending on post-TBI family structure. Family interventions based on these differences in family structure and coping are presented.

Interaction of cognitive avoidance coping and stress in predicting depression/anxiety

This study investigated (1) the moderating effects of gender and cognitive avoidance coping on the negative life events–depressive/anxious symptoms relationship, and (2) the validity of the cognitive avoidance coping construct. One hundred seventy-nine men and women completed the Coping Responses Inventory (CRI), Negative Life Events Questionnaire, and Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories at Time 1 and, 3 weeks later, at Time 2. A confirmatory factor analysis of the four CRI Avoidant Coping subscales revealed that a two-factor model, comprising Cognitive and Behavioral Avoidance Coping, was superior to the one-factor model composed of Avoidant Coping. Multiple regression analyses revealed that high negative life event scores were predictive of significant increases in symptoms among females who endorsed greater use of cognitive avoidance coping, but not among males. Behavioral avoidance coping was unrelated to changes in depressive and anxious symptoms.

Experiences of siblings of children with physical disabilities: an empirical investigation

Purpose : This study aimed to investigate the experiences of Dutch siblings of children with physical disabilities ( n = 43). Method : Interviews were conducted to investigate experiences of siblings in 3 areas: the sibling relationship, the relationship with parents, and the relationship with others. The siblings also completed a coping response inventory. Results : The siblings reported difficulties in undertaking activities and in communicating with their brother sister with a disability. Most siblings worried about the future and the health of their brother sister with a disability. The siblings reported open communication and trust as the main characteristics of the relationship with their parents. They acknowledged their parents' attempts to treat all children equally, although parents were not always successful in doing so. Having a sibling with a disability did not cause problems in the relationship with friends. The awkward reactions of strangers caused the siblings much annoyance and distress. Siblings in this sample used more approach coping strategies than avoidance strategies, t (34) 2.37, p < 0.05. Conclusion : The brothers and sisters generally did not experience many significant problems, however, a minority of the children did experience problems for which they would like help. In addition, they reported joys as well as problems.

Development and Applications of New Measures of Life Stressors, Social Resources, and Coping Responses 1Presented at the 23rd International Congress of Applied Psychology in Madrid, Spain, July 1994. Preparation of the manuscript was supported by NIAAA Grants AA06699 and AA02863 and by Department of Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development Service funds.

The paper begins by presenting a conceptual framework that focuses on how personal and social resources aid people in confronting acute and chronic stressors. It then describes the Life Stressors and Social Resources Inventory (LISRES), which assesses stressors and resources in eight life domains, and the Coping Responses Inventory (CRI), which assesses eight sets of approach and avoidance coping responses. To illustrate how such measures can help to address important issues in stress and coping, examples are presented from longitudinal studies of adaptation among distressed and healthy adults. Finally, implications of the work for practitioners and program evaluators are examined and directions for future research are considered.

A Prospective Study of the Effectiveness of Brief Professionally-Led Support Groups for Infertility Patients

This study prospectively evaluates the effectiveness and patient acceptability of professionally-led support groups in alleviating psychologic distress in infertility patients. Sixty-four consecutive patients in a university hospital infertility program were administered a battery of psychologic tests before and after attendance at an 8 weekly session support group. The comparison group consisted of 35 consecutive infertility referrals to the same unit who were not initially offered the support group and were similarly tested over an 8 week period. Support group patients had significantly greater (p less than or equal to 0.01) entry than exit scores on several measures of psychologic distress and depression (the Beck Depression Inventory, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, and the Global Severity Index, Anxiety, Depression, Hostility and Obsessive Compulsive Subscales of the Brief Symptom Inventory). The Avoidance Coping Style on the Moos Coping Responses Inventory was correlated with a higher Global Severity Index (p less than or equal to 0.01). Comparison group patients had similar psychometric scores to the support group patients at entry but showed no change over 8 weeks. Attenders expressed a high rate of satisfaction with the support group. Professionally-led support groups are a highly acceptable and effective intervention in self-referred patients in alleviating psychological distress related to infertility.

Approach and avoidance coping responses among older problem and nonproblem drinkers.

The Coping Responses Inventory (CRI) was used to study coping among older problem and nonproblem drinkers. The CRI organizes coping efforts according to their focus (approach or avoidance) and method (cognitive or behavioral). Compared with nonproblem drinkers, older problem drinkers were more likely to use cognitive and behavioral avoidance responses to manage life stressors. Problem drinkers who experienced more negative life events and more severe stressors used both more approach and more avoidance coping. Those who had more financial and social resources relied more on approach and less on avoidance coping. Problem drinkers who relied more on avoidance coping tended to have more drinking problems and to report more depression and physical symptoms and less self-confidence. Positive reappraisal was associated with less depression and more self-confidence.

An instrument to measure coping responses in employed mothers: preliminary results.

The purpose of this study was to develop a survey instrument to measure coping responses in working mothers. Coping responses were defined as efforts to prevent, avoid, or control emotional distress. Based on interviews, literature review, and a survey of existing instruments, items were developed to measure these three functions of coping behaviors. The instrument was distributed to 133 married mothers who worked at least 15 hours per week outside the home; response rate was 93%. Nine subscales to measure coping responses in working mothers were identified. Alpha reliability coefficients for the subscales range from .65-.90. Construct validity of the subscales was investigated by examining specified relationships between subscale scores and role strain measures. All but one of the subscales were significantly correlated in the predicted direction with at least one of the role strain measures. The final instrument, the Coping Responses Inventory (CRI), is comprised of 59 Likert format items from which nine subscale scores can be calculated. Some aspects of the reliability and validity of this instrument have been investigated, but confirmation of the findings await further study. Potential uses of the CRI are as an instrument in survey research and as an exploratory tool in counseling interventions with employed women with children.

Cultural Affiliation and Adjustment among Male Mexican-American College Students

Biculturally affiliated male Mexican-American students were expected to show better adjustment to the college environment than mono-culturally affiliated students. On the Coping Response Inventory 13 subjects classified as bicultural on the Biculturalism Inventory reported less stress and less interference from stress in the interpersonal area than 10 monocultural subjects, with no differences in the familial or academic areas, or in cumulative grade point average. Monocultural students with a primary Chicano affiliation reported more interference from stress in the interpersonal area than bicultural students and had a higher grade-point average than monocultural students with a primary Anglo-American affiliation. Results were discussed in terms of DeVos' 1980 model of adaption by an ethnic minority.