The role of coping strategies on psychological and physical well-being

KEIKO NAKANO

doi:10.4992/psycholres1954.33.160

KEIKO NAKANO

Author information

Keywords: coping strategies, factor analysis, moderators, hassles, psychological/physical wellbeing

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

1991 Volume 33 Issue 4 Pages 160-167

DOI https://doi.org/10.4992/psycholres1954.33.160

Details

Published: December 25, 1991 Received: June 12, 1990 Available on J-STAGE: February 24, 2009 Accepted: July 13, 1991 Advance online publication: - Revised: -
Correction information
Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: ABSTRACT Details: Wrong : The role of coping strategies as moderators in the relation between hassles and psychological/physical well-being was explored. Subjects (N=207) completed the revised Ways of Coping Checklist. Factor analysis yielded one problem-focused coping (problem-solving), four emotion-focused coping strategies (positive cognitive coping, wishful thinking, self-blame, and avoidance), and seeking social support. Multiple regression analyses revealed that the use of negative self-talk (wishful thinking and/or self-blame) was a significant predictor of overall psychological and psychosomatic symptoms, regardless of hassles levels. Seeking social support and positive cognitive coping significantly contributed to negative predictions of depression and anxiety, respectively. The hypothesis that sonic factors of emotion-focused coping serve as stress moderators, whereas other factors operate as stress enhancers was generally supported. Implications for the additional research to develop a broad array of coping scales for Japanese and to examine the role of coping were discussed.
Right : The role of coping strategies as moderators in the relation between hassles and psychological/physical well-being was explored. Subjects (N=207) completed the revised Ways of Coping Checklist. Factor analysis yielded one problem-focused coping (problem-solving), four emotion-focused coping strategies (positive cognitive coping, wishful thinking, self-blame, and avoidance), and seeking social support. Multiple regression analyses revealed that the use of negative self-talk (wishful thinking and/or self-blame) was a significant predictor of overall psychological and psychosomatic symptoms, regardless of hassles levels. Seeking social support and positive cognitive coping significantly contributed to negative predictions of depression and anxiety, respectively. The hypothesis that some factors of emotion-focused coping serve as stress moderators, whereas other factors operate as stress enhancers was generally supported. Implications for the additional research to develop a broad array of coping scales for Japanese and to examine the role of coping were discussed.

Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: KEYWORD Details: Wrong : coping strategies, factor analysis, moderators, hassles, psychological/physical well-being
Right : coping strategies, factor analysis, moderators, hassles, psychological/physical wellbeing

Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: CITATION Details: Wrong : Aldwin, C. M., & Revenson, T. A. 1987 Does coping help? A reexamination of the relation between coping and mental health. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 53, 337-348.
Beck, A. 1979 Cognitive therapy of depression. New York: Guilford Press.
Billings, A. G., & Moos, R. H. 1981 The role of coping responses and social resources in attenuating the stress of life events. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 1, 139-158.
Bradburn, N. M., & Caplovitz, D. 1965 Reports on happiness: A pilot study of behavior related to mental health. Chicago: Aldine.
Carver, C. S., Scheier, M. F., & Weintraub, J. K. 1989 Assessing coping strategies: A theoretically based approach. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 56, 267-283.
Coyne, J. C., Aldwin, C., & Lazarus, R. S. 1981 Depression and coping in stressful episodes. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 90, 439-447.
Felton, B. J., & Revenson, T. A. 1984 Coping with chronic illness: A study of illness controlability and the influence of coping strategies on psychological adjustment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 52, 343-353.
Folkman, S., & Lazarus, R. S. 1980 An analysis of coping in a middle-aged community sample. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 21, 219-239.
Folkman, S., & Lazarus, R. S. 1985 If it changes it must be a process: Study of emotion and coping during three stages of a college examination. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 48, 150-170.
Folkman, S., Lazarus, R. S., Dunkel-Schetter, C., DeLongis, A., & Gruen, R. J. 1986 Dynamics of a stressful encounter: Cognitive appraisal, coping, and encounter outcomes. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 50, 992-1003.
Folkman, S., Lazarus, R. S., Gruen, R. J., & DeLongis, A. 1986 Appraisal, coping, health status, and psychological symptoms. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 50, 571-579.
Holahan, C. J., & Moos, R. H. 1985 Life stress and health: Personality, coping, and family support in stress resistance. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 49, 739-747.
Holahan, C. J., & Moos, R. H. 1986 Personality, coping, and family resources in stress resistance: A longitudinal analysis. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51, 389-395.
Holahan, C. J., & Moos, R. H. 1987 Personal and contextual determinants of coping strategies. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 52, 946-955.
Kanner, A., Coyne, J., Schafer, C., & Lazarus, R. S. 1981 Comparison of two modes of stress measurement: daily hassles and uplifts versus major life events. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 4, 1-39.
Kobasa, S. C. 1982 Commitment and coping in stress resistance among lawyers. Journal of Personalir and Social Psychology, 42, 707-717.
Langner, T. S. 1962 A twenty-two item screening score of psychiatric symptoms in indicating impairment. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 3, 269-276.
Lazarus, R. S. 1981 The stress and coping paradigm. In C. Fisdorfer, D. Cohen, A. Klcinman, & P, Maxim (Eds.), Models for clinical pychopathology, New York: Spectrum. Pp. 177-214.
Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. 1984 Stress, appraisal, and coping. New York: Springer.
McCrae, R. R. 1984 Situational determinants of coping responses: Loss, threat, and challenge. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 46, 919-928.
Menaghan, E. 1982 Measuring coping effectiveness: A panel analysis of marital problems and efforts. Journal of Health aid Social Behavior, 23, 220-234.
Mitchell, R. E., Cronkite, R. C., & Moos, R. H. 1983 Stress, coping, and depression among married couples. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 92, 433-448.
Nakano, K. 1988 Hassles as a measure of stress in a Japanese sample: Preliminary research. Psychological Reports, 63, 252-254.
Nakano, K. 1990 Hardiness, Type A behavior, and physical symptoms in a Japanese sample. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 178, 52-56.
Nakano, K. 1991 Coping strategies and health status in a Japanese sample. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 47, 346-350.
Pcarlin, L. I., & Schooler, C. 1978 The structure of coping. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 19, 2-21.
Rothbaum, F., Weisz, J. R., & Snyder, S. S. 1982 Changing the world and changing the self: A two-process model of perceived control. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 42, 5-37.
Strong, C. 1984 Stress and caring for elderly relatives: Interpretations and coping strategies in an American Indian and white sample. The Gcrontologist, 24, 251-256.
Vitaliano, P. P., Maiuro, R. D., Russo, J., & Becker, J. 1987 Raw versus relative stores in the assessment of coping strategies. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 10, 1-18.
Weisz, J. R., Rothbaum, F. M., & Blackburn, T. C. 1984 Standing out and standing in: The psychology of control in America and Japan. American Psychologist, 39, 955-969.

Right : Aldwin, C. M., & Revenson, T. A. 1987 Does coping help? A reexamination of the relation between coping and mental health. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 53, 337-348.
Beck, A. 1979 Cognitive therapy of depression. New York: Guilford Press.
Billings, A. G., & Moos, R. H. 1981 The role of coping responses and social resources in attenuating the stress of life events. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 1, 139-158.
Bradburn, N. M., & Caplovitz, D. 1965 Reports on happiness: A pilot study of behavior related to mental health. Chicago: Aldine.
Carver, C. S., Scheier, M. F., & Weintraub, J. K. 1989 Assessing coping strategies: A theoretically based approach. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 56, 267-283.
Coyne, J. C., Aldwin, C., & Lazarus, R. S. 1981 Depression and coping in stressful episodes. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 90, 439-447.
Felton, B. J., & Revenson, T. A. 1984 Coping with chronic illness: A study of illness controlability and the influence of coping strategies on psychological adjustment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 52, 343-353.
Folkman, S., & Lazarus, R. S. 1980 An analysis of coping in a middle-aged community sample. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 21, 219-239.
Folkman, S., & Lazarus, R. S. 1985 If it changes it must be a process: Study of emotion and coping during three stages of a college examination. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 48, 150-170.
Folkman, S., Lazarus, R. S., Dunkel-Schetter, C., DeLongis, A., & Gruen, R. J. 1986 Dynamics of a stressful encounter: Cognitive appraisal, coping, and encounter outcomes. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 50, 992-1003.
Folkman, S., Lazarus, R. S., Gruen, R. J., & DeLongis, A. 1986 Appraisal, coping, health status, and psychological symptoms. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 50, 571-579.
Holahan, C. J., & Moos, R. H. 1985 Life stress and health: Personality, coping, and family support in stress resistance. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 49, 739-747.
Holahan, C. J., & Moos, R. H. 1986 Personality, coping, and family resources in stress resistance: A longitudinal analysis. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51, 389-395.
Holahan, C. J., & Moos, R. H. 1987 Personal and contextual determinants of coping strategies. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 52, 946-955.
Kanner, A., Coyne, J., Schafer, C., & Lazarus, R. S. 1981 Comparison of two modes of stress measurement: daily hassles and uplifts versus major life events. Journal of Behavioral: Medicine, 4, 1-39.
Kobasa, S. C. 1982 Commitment and coping in stress resistance among lawyers. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 42, 707-717.
Langner, T. S. 1962 A twenty-two item screening score of psychiatric symptoms in indicating impairment. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 3, 269-276.
Lazarus, R. S. 1981 The stress and coping para. dig-m. In C. Eisdorfer, D. Cohen, A. Kleinman, & P. Maxim (Eds.), Models for clinical psychopathology. 0New York: Spectrum. Pp.177-214.
Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. 1984 Stress, appraisal, and coping. New York: Springer. McCrae, R. R. 1984 Situational determinants of coping responses: Loss, threat, and challenge. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 46, 919-928
Menaghan, E. 1982 Measuring coping effectiveness: A panel analysis of marital problems and efforts. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 23, 220-234.
Mitchell, R. E., Cronkite, R. C., & Moos, R. H. 1983 Stress, coping, and depression among married couples. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 92, 433-448.
Nakano, K. 1988 Hassles as a measure of stress in a Japanese sample: Preliminary research. Psychological Reports, 63, 252-254.
Nakano, K. 1990 Hardiness, Type A behavior, and physical symptoms in a Japanese sample. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 178, 52-56.
Nakano, K. 1991 Coping strategies and health status in a Japanese sample. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 47, 346-350.
Pcarlin, L. I., & Schooler, C. 1978 The structure of coping. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 19, 2-21.
Rothbaum, F., Weisz, J. R., & Snyder, S. S. 1982 Changing the world and changing the self: A two-process model of perceived control. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 42, 5-37.
Strong, C. 1984 Stress and caring for elderly relatives: Interpretations and coping strategies in an American Indian and white sample. The Gerontologist, 24, 251-256.
Vitaliano, P. P., Maiuro, R. D., Russo, J., & Becker, J. 1987 Raw versus relative scores in the assessment of coping strategies. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 10, 1-18.
Weisz, J. R., Rothbaum, F. M., & Blackburn, T. C. 1984 Standing out and standing in: The psychology of control in America and Japan. American Psychologist, 39, 955-969.

Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: PDF FILE Details: -

Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: CITATION Details: Wrong : Aldwin, C. M., & Revenson, T. A. 1987 Does coping help? A reexamination of the relation between coping and mental health. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 53, 337-348.
Beck, A. 1979 Cognitive therapy of depression. New York: Guilford Press.
Billings, A. G., & Moos, R. H. 1981 The role of coping responses and social resources in attenuating the stress of life events. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 1, 139-158.
Bradburn, N. M., & Caplovitz, D. 1965 Reports on happiness: A pilot study of behavior related to mental health. Chicago: Aldine.
Carver, C. S., Scheier, M. F., & Weintraub, J. K. 1989 Assessing coping strategies: A theoretically based approach. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 56, 267-283.
Coyne, J. C., Aldwin, C., & Lazarus, R. S. 1981 Depression and coping in stressful episodes. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 90, 439-447.
Felton, B. J., & Revenson, T. A. 1984 Coping with chronic illness: A study of illness controlability and the influence of coping strategies on psychological adjustment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 52, 343-353.
Folkman, S., & Lazarus, R. S. 1980 An analysis of coping in a middle-aged community sample. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 21, 219-239.
Folkman, S., & Lazarus, R. S. 1985 If it changes it must be a process: Study of emotion and coping during three stages of a college examination. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 48, 150-170.
Folkman, S., Lazarus, R. S., Dunkel-Schetter, C., DeLongis, A., & Gruen, R. J. 1986 Dynamics of a stressful encounter: Cognitive appraisal, coping, and encounter outcomes. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 50, 992-1003.
Folkman, S., Lazarus, R. S., Gruen, R. J., & DeLongis, A. 1986 Appraisal, coping, health status, and psychological symptoms. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 50, 571-579.
Holahan, C. J., & Moos, R. H. 1985 Life stress and health: Personality, coping, and family support in stress resistance. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 49, 739-747.
Holahan, C. J., & Moos, R. H. 1986 Personality, coping, and family resources in stress resistance: A longitudinal analysis. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51, 389-395.
Holahan, C. J., & Moos, R. H. 1987 Personal and contextual determinants of coping strategies. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 52, 946-955.
Kanner, A., Coyne, J., Schafer, C., & Lazarus, R. S. 1981 Comparison of two modes of stress measurement: daily hassles and uplifts versus major life events. Journal of Behavioral: Medicine, 4, 1-39.
Kobasa, S. C. 1982 Commitment and coping in stress resistance among lawyers. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 42, 707-717.
Langner, T. S. 1962 A twenty-two item screening score of psychiatric symptoms in indicating impairment. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 3, 269-276.
Lazarus, R. S. 1981 The stress and coping para. dig-m. In C. Eisdorfer, D. Cohen, A. Kleinman, & P. Maxim (Eds.), Models for clinical psychopathology. 0New York: Spectrum. Pp.177-214.
Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. 1984 Stress, appraisal, and coping. New York: Springer. McCrae, R. R. 1984 Situational determinants of coping responses: Loss, threat, and challenge. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 46, 919-928
Menaghan, E. 1982 Measuring coping effectiveness: A panel analysis of marital problems and efforts. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 23, 220-234.
Mitchell, R. E., Cronkite, R. C., & Moos, R. H. 1983 Stress, coping, and depression among married couples. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 92, 433-448.
Nakano, K. 1988 Hassles as a measure of stress in a Japanese sample: Preliminary research. Psychological Reports, 63, 252-254.
Nakano, K. 1990 Hardiness, Type A behavior, and physical symptoms in a Japanese sample. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 178, 52-56.
Nakano, K. 1991 Coping strategies and health status in a Japanese sample. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 47, 346-350.
Pcarlin, L. I., & Schooler, C. 1978 The structure of coping. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 19, 2-21.
Rothbaum, F., Weisz, J. R., & Snyder, S. S. 1982 Changing the world and changing the self: A two-process model of perceived control. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 42, 5-37.
Strong, C. 1984 Stress and caring for elderly relatives: Interpretations and coping strategies in an American Indian and white sample. The Gerontologist, 24, 251-256.
Vitaliano, P. P., Maiuro, R. D., Russo, J., & Becker, J. 1987 Raw versus relative scores in the assessment of coping strategies. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 10, 1-18.
Weisz, J. R., Rothbaum, F. M., & Blackburn, T. C. 1984 Standing out and standing in: The psychology of control in America and Japan. American Psychologist, 39, 955-969.

Right : Aldwin, C. M., & Revenson, T. A. 1987 Does coping help? A reexamination of the relation between coping and mental health. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 53, 337-348.
Beck, A. 1979 Cognitive therapy of depression. New York: Guilford Press.
Billings, A. G., & Moos, R. H. 1981 The role of coping responses and social resources in attenuating the stress of life events. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 1, 139-158.
Bradburn, N. M., & Caplovitz, D. 1965 Reports on happiness: A pilot study of behavior related to mental health. Chicago: Aldine.
Carver, C. S., Scheier, M. F., & Weintraub, J. K. 1989 Assessing coping strategies: A theoretically based approach. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 56, 267-283.
Coyne, J. C., Aldwin, C., & Lazarus, R. S. 1981 Depression and coping in stressful episodes. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 90, 439-447.
Felton, B. J., & Revenson, T. A. 1984 Coping with chronic illness: A study of illness controlability and the influence of coping strategies on psychological adjustment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 52, 343-353.
Folkman, S., & Lazarus, R. S. 1980 An analysis of coping in a middle-aged community sample. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 21, 219-239.
Folkman, S., & Lazarus, R. S. 1985 If it changes it must be a process: Study of emotion and coping during three stages of a college examination. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 48, 150-170.
Folkman, S., Lazarus, R. S., Dunkel-Schetter, C., DeLongis, A., & Gruen, R. J. 1986 Dynamics of a stressful encounter: Cognitive appraisal, coping, and encounter outcomes. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 50, 992-1003.
Folkman, S., Lazarus, R. S., Gruen, R. J., & DeLongis, A. 1986 Appraisal, coping, health status, and psychological symptoms. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 50, 571-579.
Holahan, C. J., & Moos, R. H. 1985 Life stress and health: Personality, coping, and family support in stress resistance. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 49, 739-747.
Holahan, C. J., & Moos, R. H. 1986 Personality, coping, and family resources in stress resistance: A longitudinal analysis. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51, 389-395.
Holahan, C. J., & Moos, R. H. 1987 Personal and contextual determinants of coping strategies. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 52, 946-955.
Kanner, A., Coyne, J., Schafer, C., & Lazarus, R. S. 1981 Comparison of two modes of stress measurement: daily hassles and uplifts versus major life events. Journal of Behavioral: Medicine, 4, 1-39.
Kobasa, S. C. 1982 Commitment and coping in stress resistance among lawyers. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 42, 707-717.
Langner, T. S. 1962 A twenty-two item screening score of psychiatric symptoms in indicating impairment. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 3, 269-276.
Lazarus, R. S. 1981 The stress and coping paradigm. In C. Eisdorfer, D. Cohen, A. Kleinman, & P. Maxim (Eds.), Models for clinical psychopathology. New York: Spectrum. Pp.177-214.
Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. 1984 Stress, appraisal, and coping. New York: Springer.
McCrae, R. R. 1984 Situational determinants of coping responses: Loss, threat, and challenge. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 46, 919-928.
Menaghan, E. 1982 Measuring coping effectiveness: A panel analysis of marital problems and efforts. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 23, 220-234.
Mitchell, R. E., Cronkite, R. C., & Moos, R. H. 1983 Stress, coping, and depression among married couples. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 92, 433-448.
Nakano, K. 1988 Hassles as a measure of stress in a Japanese sample: Preliminary research. Psychological Reports, 63, 252-254.
Nakano, K. 1990 Hardiness, Type A behavior, and physical symptoms in a Japanese sample. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 178, 52-56.
Nakano, K. 1991 Coping strategies and health status in a Japanese sample. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 47, 346-350.
Pearlin, L. I., & Schooler, C. 1978 The structure of coping. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 19, 2-21.
Rothbaum, F., Weisz, J. R., & Snyder, S. S. 1982 Changing the world and changing the self: A two-process model of perceived control. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 42, 5-37.
Strong, C. 1984 Stress and caring for elderly relatives: Interpretations and coping strategies in an American Indian and white sample. The Gerontologist, 24, 251-256.
Vitaliano, P. P., Maiuro, R. D., Russo, J., & Becker, J. 1987 Raw versus relative scores in the assessment of coping strategies. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 10, 1-18.
Weisz, J. R., Rothbaum, F. M., & Blackburn, T. C. 1984 Standing out and standing in: The psychology of control in America and Japan. American Psychologist, 39, 955-969.

Abstract

The role of coping strategies as moderators in the relation between hassles and psychological/physical well-being was explored. Subjects (N=207) completed the revised Ways of Coping Checklist. Factor analysis yielded one problem-focused coping (problem-solving), four emotion-focused coping strategies (positive cognitive coping, wishful thinking, self-blame, and avoidance), and seeking social support. Multiple regression analyses revealed that the use of negative self-talk (wishful thinking and/or self-blame) was a significant predictor of overall psychological and psychosomatic symptoms, regardless of hassles levels. Seeking social support and positive cognitive coping significantly contributed to negative predictions of depression and anxiety, respectively. The hypothesis that some factors of emotion-focused coping serve as stress moderators, whereas other factors operate as stress enhancers was generally supported. Implications for the additional research to develop a broad array of coping scales for Japanese and to examine the role of coping were discussed.

Corresponding author

Correction information

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