The Relationship between Behavioral Coping and Depression Mediated by Cognitive Control

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between behavioral coping and depression mediated by cognitive control. We conceptualized two types of behavioral coping, namely “direct solution behavior” and “solution behavior by consultation”. The former involves coping with the problem actively and directly, and the latter involves accepting others' ideas by asking someone for advice and information. We selected items regarding behavioral coping from previous research, and prepared a self-report questionnaire regarding a stressful interpersonal situation, which 239 university students completed. The results of a path analysis suggested that each type of behavioral coping was positively associated with logical analysis, and that logical analysis was positively associated with reframing catastrophic thinking. Moreover, reframing catastrophic thinking was negatively associated with depression.