BACKGROUND: Dispositional emotional approach coping (EAC) marks an adaptive tendency to process and express emotions. EAC's association with cognitions, affect, and intra- and interindividual characteristics that may account for its utility was examined in response to an acute stressor and in daily life. DESIGN: This study included a laboratory stress task and ecological momentary assessment. METHODS: Healthy undergraduate students (n = 124; mean age: 20; women: 56%) completed a laboratory component (baseline survey, speech stress task, pre- and posttask measures) and five subsequent days of surveys via palm pilot (six surveys/day). RESULTS: Controlling for sex, neuroticism, and social support, greater EAC was associated with more positive cognitive appraisals, personal resources, and positive affect and less-negative affect during the lab stressor, and with more perceived control and positive affect in daily life. Significant EAC × sex interactions were found for poststressor affect: men with high EAC reported more positive affect and women with high EAC reported less negative affect. CONCLUSIONS: Findings provide support that EAC's utility may be independent of intra- and interindividual characteristics, and that men and women may benefit from EAC in different ways in regards to affect. The proclivity to use EAC may come with a resiliency that protects against stress and promotes general well-being.
BACKGROUND: Dispositional emotional approach coping (EAC) marks an adaptive tendency to process and express emotions. EAC's association with cognitions, affect, and intra- and interindividual characteristics that may account for its utility was examined in response to an acute stressor and in daily life. DESIGN: This study included a laboratory stress task and ecological momentary assessment. METHODS: Healthy undergraduate students (n = 124; mean age: 20; women: 56%) completed a laboratory component (baseline survey, speech stress task, pre- and posttask measures) and five subsequent days of surveys via palm pilot (six surveys/day). RESULTS: Controlling for sex, neuroticism, and social support, greater EAC was associated with more positive cognitive appraisals, personal resources, and positive affect and less-negative affect during the lab stressor, and with more perceived control and positive affect in daily life. Significant EAC × sex interactions were found for poststressor affect: men with high EAC reported more positive affect and women with high EAC reported less negative affect. CONCLUSIONS: Findings provide support that EAC's utility may be independent of intra- and interindividual characteristics, and that men and women may benefit from EAC in different ways in regards to affect. The proclivity to use EAC may come with a resiliency that protects against stress and promotes general well-being.
Authors: A L Stanton; S Danoff-Burg; C L Cameron; M Bishop; C A Collins; S B Kirk; L A Sworowski; R Twillman Journal: J Consult Clin Psychol Date: 2000-10
Authors: C Classen; L D Butler; C Koopman; E Miller; S DiMiceli; J Giese-Davis; P Fobair; R W Carlson; H C Kraemer; D Spiegel Journal: Arch Gen Psychiatry Date: 2001-05
Authors: Sarah L Master; David M Amodio; Annette L Stanton; Cindy M Yee; Clayton J Hilmert; Shelley E Taylor Journal: Brain Behav Immun Date: 2008-06-16 Impact factor: 7.217