Perceived Coping Self-efficacy Research Articles

Explaining preparedness towards hydrometeorological hazards. An exploratory study in Mexico

This study explores how the threat and appraisal constructs proposed by the Protection Motivation Theory affect preparedness behavior towards hydrometeorological hazards contingent to the confidence on the governmental support, the individual’s social vulnerability, and his/her previous experience with a natural threat. Data from an online survey of residents of two Mexican coastal counties was used to provide empirical support to the conceptual model developed. The analytical results of structural equation modelling indicate that a high confidence in the authorities’ support has a non-significant effect on preventive behaviors but negatively affects the perceived coping selfefficacy of socially vulnerable individuals. Additionally, preparedness behavior is triggered by risk or coping factors depending on the previous experience with an hydrometeorological hazard. These findings advise to 1) better manage the expectations of socially disadvantaged residents regarding the governmental assistance by improving their self-protection ability towards natural threats, and 2) offset the decreased risk perception of households who are exposed to hydrometeorological warnings regularly. The main limitation of this study is the small purposing sample used to empirically validate the model proposed. An extensive study based on a probabilistic sample of coastal communities of Mexico is recommended to confirm the findings of this exploratory research.

Post-traumatic stress disorder and Post-traumatic Growth among Police officials; Role of Coping Self Efficacy and Hope

Background: Post traumatic stress disorder in the after math of trauma is common. The objective of this study was to find correlation between Post-traumatic stress disorder and contributing factors of growth after trauma in active duty officials of police having direct exposure of trauma during war against terror in Pakistan.
 Methodology: The cross-sectional study was done on active-duty police officials from Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan in three years duration from Jan, 2019 till December 2021. Non probability purposive sampling technique was used for selection of participants. Post-Traumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale (PDS-5), short form of Comprehensive trauma inventory, Adult Hope Scale and Perceived coping self-efficacy scale were used for data collection. SPSS version 21 was used for data analysis. After descriptive analysis, correlation of variables was checked by Pearson correlation and moderation analysis was done.
 Results: Age range of the participants was 33.6 ± 6.3 years. There was a significant strong positive correlation of Hope and Perceived self-efficacy with Post traumatic growth and negative correlation with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. There was a significant increase in post-traumatic growth in presence of hope and perceived self-efficacy.
 Conclusion: Relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder and post-traumatic growth was moderated by perceived coping self-efficacy and hope.

The Indirect Effect of Coping Self-Efficacy on the Relation Between Sexual Violence and PTSD Symptoms.

One in five women experience rape and one in four experience unwanted sexual contact, incurring significant risk of negative psychological outcomes such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Given this heightened risk, it is imperative to examine factors that can inhibit the development of PTSD symptoms in response to sexual violence in women. Perceived coping self-efficacy (CSE) is a cognitive appraisal ability utilized to regulate internal and external stressors that arise from traumatic events and is crucial for effective adaptation after traumas such as sexual violence. This study investigated CSE as a potential protective factor against trauma-related psychopathology in female rape survivors. In this study, 518 female undergraduate students (M age = 22.71 years, SD = 8.33 years; 82.4% Caucasian) completed self-report measures of nonconsensual sexual experiences, CSE, and PTSD symptom severity. Of those, 375 women (M age = 22.89 years, SD = 6.91 years; 83.7% Caucasian) reported at least one incident of a nonconsensual sexual experience. We hypothesized that CSE would indirectly affect the relationship between sexual violence and PTSD symptom severity, such that CSE would be protective against PTSD symptoms. In line with our hypothesis, there was evidence of a significant indirect effect, 95% confidence interval (CI) = [0.18, 0.44]. This evidence suggests that CSE may be an important protective factor given women's increased risk of developing PTSD symptoms following sexual violence. Furthermore, this finding suggests that programs targeting the development of CSE may prevent or lessen risk of PTSD symptoms following sexual violence.

The Temporal Relationship Between Coping Self-Efficacy and Dissociation in Undergraduate Students

ABSTRACTDissociation is a lack of information integration resulting from a process that ranges on a continuum from normative experiences (e.g., daydreaming) to a pervasive traumatic response involving alterations and/or fragmentation in mental processes such as memory, emotion, and perception. Perceived coping self-efficacy (CSE) is a cognitive appraisal ability utilized to regulate internal and external stressors that arise from traumatic events, and is crucial for effective adaptation after extreme stress or trauma. Thus, CSE may be a critical component in decreasing dissociative experiences following a traumatic event. In the present study, 136 undergraduate students (M age = 22.36 years, SD = 6.27; 81% female, 69.1% Caucasian, 77.2% attended some college) completed self-report measures of trauma, dissociation, and coping self-efficacy. All measures were completed by the same participants at two different time points (Time 1 and Time 2) two months apart; all participants reported a history of exposure to at least one Criterion A traumatic event (according to the DSM-5) at Time 1. We hypothesized that CSE for posttraumatic coping demands at Time 2 would mediate the relationship between dissociation at Time 1 and dissociation at Time 2, and subsequently found evidence of significant mediation, 95% CI [.02, .18]. These findings suggest that initial levels of persistent dissociation negatively predict CSE, which in turn directly and negatively influence persistent dissociation at a later time point. This highlights how CSE may serve as a protective factor against persistent dissociation.

Understanding Postdisaster Substance Use and Psychological Distress Using Concepts from the Self-Medication Hypothesis and Social Cognitive Theory

ABSTRACTThis article applies constructs from the Self-Medication Hypothesis and Social Cognitive Theory to explain the development of substance use and psychological distress after a disaster. A conceptual model is proposed, which employs a sequential mediation model, identifying perceived coping self-efficacy, psychological distress, and self-medication as pathways to substance use after a disaster. Disaster exposure decreases perceived coping self-efficacy, which, in turn, increases psychological distress and subsequently increases perceptions of self-medication in vulnerable individuals. These mechanisms lead to an increase in postdisaster substance use. Last, recommendations are offered to encourage disaster researchers to test more complex models in studies on postdisaster psychological distress and substance use.

Cross-lagged associations between posttraumatic stress symptoms and coping self-efficacy in long-term recovery: A four-wave comparative study

RationaleTrauma-related coping self-efficacy (CSE) – in brief, the perceived ability to cope with the aftermath of a traumatic event – has been shown to affect psychological outcomes. A previous study showed that CSE affects subsequent PTSS levels, but not vice versa among a sample exposed 0–6 months ago. ObjectiveIn this four-wave follow-up study we examined the cross-lagged relationships between CSE and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) among those exposed to PTEs (potentially traumatic events) 1–2 years before T1 in order to examine direction of influence. Research questions were: 1) what are the cross-lagged associations between CSE and PTSS levels among those exposed to PTE in the relatively long-term (1–2 years ago, called PTE long-term group), and 2) to what extent do these associations differ from the cross lagged associations among those exposed to PTE in the relatively short-term (0–6 months ago)? MethodStudy samples consist of adult respondents of a representative internet panel who experienced a PTE between 1 and 2 years before T1, and did not experience any new PTE between T1 and T3 (long-term group, N = 438) and those exposed in the six months before T1, and not exposed to any additional PTE (short-term group, N = 400). Levels of CSE and PTSS were measured with 4-month intervals. In addition, prospectively assessed personality traits and peritraumatic distress were entered in the analyses. ResultsStructural equation modeling showed that CSE perceptions will continue to influence subsequent PTSS levels in the long-term, just as they did in the short-term. Contrary to the more short-term post-exposure period however, CSE levels do not just influence recovery from PTSS. Over time, degree of PTSS experienced also influences subsequent CSE perceptions. ConclusionResults suggest that while trauma-related CSE perceptions are relatively robust in the short-term recovery period, they can be affected by posttraumatic stress in the long-term.

Longitudinal interplay between posttraumatic stress symptoms and coping self-efficacy: A four-wave prospective study

Trauma-related coping self-efficacy (CSE), the perceived capability to manage one's personal functioning and the myriad environmental demands of the aftermath of potentially traumatic events (PTE), has been shown to affect psychological outcomes after these events. Aim of the present four-wave study was to examine the cross-lagged relationships between CSE and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms following PTEs in order to examine direction of influence. Levels of CSE and PTSD symptoms were measured with 4-month intervals. In addition, prospectively assessed personality traits and general self-efficacy perceptions as well as peritraumatic distress were entered in the analyses.The study sample consists of adult respondents of a representative internet panel who experienced PTE in the six months before T1, and did not experience any new PTE or life event between T1 and T3 (N = 400). Respondents were administered the coping self-efficacy scale (CSE-7), impact of event scale (IES) and arousal items of IES-R at each wave (T1 through T3), as well as questions on peritraumatic stress and prospectively measured personality traits (T0). Results of structural equation modeling showed that the effect of CSE on subsequent PTSD symptom levels was dominant. CSE significantly predicted subsequent symptoms, over and above earlier symptom levels, with higher CSE associated with lower PTSD. Symptoms in turn, did not predict subsequent levels of CSE. Higher peritraumatic distress was associated with both higher initial PTSD symptoms and lower initial CSE levels. Higher levels of the personality traits of emotional stability and agreeableness were associated with higher initial CSE levels. This supports a model in which CSE perceptions play an important role in recovery from trauma.

Vitamin D, Depression and Coping Self-Efficacy in Young Women: Longitudinal Study

Depression is a significant health issue in young women with few assessment strategies for early detection. It has been suggested that self-efficacy and vitamin D levels can predict and prevent depression. The authors examined the relationship between vitamin D levels, coping self-efficacy and depression in 77 college age women over three seasons. The results of the repeated measures analysis showed that a strong, inverse relationship existed between self-efficacy and depression but not vitamin D levels. These findings were consistent across the three data collection points. The results implied that strengthening perceived coping self-efficacy may be useful in order to maintain the mental health of young college age women.

Examination of The Mental Health Componet of Quality of Life of Haemodialysis Patients and Its Relationship to Perceived Expressed Emotion, Coping Self Efficacy, Optimism, Self Esteem, and Social Support

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to examine the mental health component of quality of life (MHC) of haemodialysis patients and its relationship with personal characteristics (two components of perceived expressed emotion (criticism/hostility and emotional over-involvement), optimism, self esteem, social support, and coping self efficacy related to symtom distress) and other resources within the Conservation of Resources(COR) Model (Hobfoll 1989). Method: Demographic variables and haemodialysis related information of patients, with the other resources classified as resources according to COR model, were also included in the study. One hundred and six haemodialysis patients voluntarily participated in the study. For the study, perceived expressed emotion, optimism, self-esteem, perceived social support and perceived coping self efficacy were taken as resources and were also included as measures. After examining the correlational matrix among the variables of, in order to examine variables related to MHC and test the main hypothesis of the study, multiple regression analysis was conducted. Results: The results of the analysis showed that age, income, house ownerhip, presence of additional diagnosis, self esteem, perceived criticism/hostility and coping self efficacy were significantly related to MHC. Directions of the relationship between age, presence of additional diagnosis, and criticism/hostility were negative with the outcome variables, whereas, directions of the relationship between income, house ownerhip, self-esteem and coping self-efficacy were positive with the outcome variable, MHC. Conclusion: Patients’ concerns about various aspects of demographic and illness related variables, perceived coping self-efficacy, self-esteem, and criticism-hostility were found to be predictive of their MHC.

The impact of perceived self-efficacy on memory for aversive experiences

Self-efficacy is a key construct underlying healthy functioning and emotional well-being. Perceptions of uncontrollability, unpredictability, and low self-efficacy are consistently associated with negative mental health outcomes, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To test the causal relation between perceived coping self-efficacy and stress responses we employed a trauma film paradigm in which college students (N=33) viewed a graphic film of the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident following a high (HSE) or low self-efficacy (LSE) induction. Participants were tested for intrusions, distress, and memory recall for the film over the following 24 hours. LSE participants recalled more central details than HSE participants. Further, HSE participants reported fewer negative intrusions immediately following the film and at 24 hours. These findings suggest that strategies that increase perceived coping self-efficacy may reduce intrusive recollections of an aversive event, and also reduce the attentional bias associated with remembering aversive stimuli.

Self-evaluative appraisals of coping capability and posttraumatic distress following motor vehicle accidents.

This study tested the importance of coping self-efficacy (CSE) perceptions and change in perceptions of CSE for recovery from motor vehicle accident (MVA) trauma. Data were collected 7 days following the accident (Time 1; n = 163), 1 month after the accident (Time 2; n = 91), and 3 months after the accident (Time 3; n = 70). Early changes in CSE (i.e., from Time 1 to Time 2) predicted posttraumatic distress at 3 months after MVA trauma, even after controlling for Time 1 or Time 2 posttraumatic distress and other trauma-related variables (i.e., accident responsibility, litigation involvement, and peritraumatic dissociation). Early changes in CSE perceptions, however, neither moderated nor mediated the effects of early posttraumatic distress (Time 1) on 3-month posttraumatic distress. Time 2 CSE levels, however, did mediate the relationship between acute posttraumatic distress (Time 1) and 3-month posttraumatic distress (Time 3). These findings highlight the importance of early interventions aimed at strengthening self-efficacy after MVA trauma.

Social cognitive theory of posttraumatic recovery: the role of perceived self-efficacy

The present article integrates findings from diverse studies on the generalized role of perceived coping self-efficacy in recovery from different types of traumatic experiences. They include natural disasters, technological catastrophes, terrorist attacks, military combat, and sexual and criminal assaults. The various studies apply multiple controls for diverse sets of potential contributors to posttraumatic recovery. In these different multivariate analyses, perceived coping self-efficacy emerges as a focal mediator of posttraumatic recovery. Verification of its independent contribution to posttraumatic recovery across a wide range of traumas lends support to the centrality of the enabling and protective function of belief in one’s capability to exercise some measure of control over traumatic adversity.

Psychoneuroimmunology: can psychological interventions modulate immunity?

There is ample evidence from human and animal studies demonstrating the downward modulation of immune function concomitant with a variety of stressors. As a consequence, the possible enhancement of immune function by behavioral strategies has generated considerable interest. Researchers have used a number of diverse strategies to modulate immune function, including relaxation, hypnosis, exercise, classical conditioning, self-disclosure, exposure to a phobic stressor to enhance perceived coping self-efficacy, and cognitive-behavioral interventions, and these interventions have generally produced positive changes. Although it is not yet clear to what extent these positive immunological changes translate into any concrete improvements in relevant aspects of health, that is, alterations in the incidence, severity, or duration of infectious or malignant disease, the preliminary evidence is promising.

Mechanisms governing empowerment effects: A self-efficacy analysis.

This experiment tested the hypotheses that perceived coping and cognitive control self-efficacy govern the effects of personal empowerment over physical threats. Women participated in a mastery modeling program in which they mastered the physical skills to defend themselves successfully against unarmed sexual assailants. Multifaceted measures of theoretically relevant variables were administered within a staggered intragroup control design to test the immediate and long-term effects of the empowerment program and the mechanisms through which it produced its effects. Mastery modeling enhanced perceived coping and cognitive control efficacy, decreased perceived vulnerability to assault, and reduced the incidence of intrusive negative thinking and anxiety arousal. These changes were accompanied by increased freedom of action and decreased avoidant behavior. Path analyses of causal structures revealed a dual path of regulation of behavior by perceived coping self-efficacy, one mediated through perceived vulnerability and risk discernment and the other through perceived cognitive control self-efficacy and intrusive negative thinking.

Impact of perceived self-efficacy in coping with stressors on components of the immune system.

This experiment examined the impact of experimentally varied perceived self-efficacy in exercising control over stressors on components of the immunological system. Immunological changes while coping with phobic stressors were measured within an intrasubject control design that included a baseline phase, an efficacy-acquisition phase, and a maximal-efficacy phase. In each of these phases, perceived coping self-efficacy, level of autonomic and endocrine activation, and several components of the immunological system were measured. Development of strong perceived self-efficacy to control phobic stressors had an immunoenhancing effect. A slow growth of perceived self-efficacy, heart rate acceleration, and cortisol activation attenuated immunological system status during the efficacy-acquisition phase. Rapid growth of perceived self-efficacy also predicted maintenance of immunoenhancement during the maximal perceived self-efficacy phase.

Catecholamine secretion as a function of perceived coping self-efficacy.

The present research tested the hypothesis that perceived coping self-efficacy mediates the effects of environmental events on catecholamine secretion. Differential levels of perceived self-efficacy were induced in phobic subjects through modeling. Their level of catecholamine secretion was then measured as they were presented coping tasks in their high, medium, and low ranges of perceived self-efficacy. High perceived self-efficacy was accompanied by low levels of plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine during interaction with a phobic object, whereas moderate perceived self-inefficacy gave rise to substantial increases in plasma catecholamines. Both catecholamines dropped sharply when phobics declined tasks for which they judged themselves completely inefficacious. In contrast, dopac was released maximally by mere apperception of task demands that phobics regarded as overwhelming their coping capabilities. After perceived self-efficacy was strengthened to the maximal level by participant modeling, all of the tasks were performed without any differential catecholamine responses.

Catecholamine secretion as a function of perceived coping self-efficacy.

Catecholamine secretion as a function of perceived coping self-efficacy.