Risk and resilience: The moderating role of social coping for maternal mental health in a setting of political conflict

Violence can threaten individual wellbeing and tear at the social fabric of communities. At the same time, suffering can mobilize social coping and mutual support. Thus, the backdrop of political violence increases risk factors and stimulates resilience. The current study examined the moderating role of social coping as reflective of risk and resiliency in Northern Ireland, a setting of protracted conflict. Specifically, structural equation modeling was used to investigate whether social coping protects from or exacerbates the negative impact of sectarian crime and nonsectarian crime on maternal mental health (N = 631). Nonsectarian crime predicted greater psychological distress for mothers in Belfast. Mixed support was found for the buffering and depletion moderation hypotheses; social coping functioned differently for nonsectarian crime and sectarian crime. Greater social coping buffered mothers’ psychological distress from the negative effects of nonsectarian crime, but exacerbated maternal mental health problems when facing sectarian crime. Results suggest that social coping is a complex phenomenon, particularly in settings of protracted political violence. Implications for interventions aimed at alleviating psychological distress by enhancing mothers’ social coping in contexts of intergroup conflict are discussed.     

Emotional intelligence,coping and exam‐related stress in Canadian undergraduate students

The associations among emotional intelligence (EI), coping, personality and exam‐related stress in a group of 475 Canadian undergraduate students were examined. Stress was measured at the start of the semester and again in the pre‐exam period. Higher levels of stress were associated with lower scores on EI components, and higher scores on emotion‐focused coping and neuroticism. A scale‐level factor analysis of the EI and coping subscales produced three composite factors, which each had high loadings from at least one EI and one coping subscale. The associations of the Emotion Regulation factor (high loadings of several EI components and emotion‐focused coping) and the Task Focus factor (high loadings of Adaptability EI and task‐focused coping) with personality, stress and subjective wellbeing (SWB) were examined using structural equation modelling. The results showed that these factors mediated the effect of personality on stress and SWB.     

Correlates of social support receipt

Psychological correlates of social support receipt were examined in an investigation of stress and coping among 150 middle-aged community residents. Subjects were interviewed monthly for 6 months, each time concerning a specific stressful situation in the previous month. Social support received and methods of coping were assessed each time, as well as other variables. Factors hypothesized to be associated with support receipt were person predispositions, appraisal patterns with regard to specific stressful encounters, and coping strategies used. Each was most strongly associated with a particular type of social support. Person predispositions related most strongly to emotional support received, appraisal factors related most strongly to aid, and coping strategies related most to informational support received. Furthermore, of the three sets of variables, the individual's ways of coping appeared to be most strongly associated with all types of social support received. Two implications are explored. First, we suggest that the three types of social support studied represent different constructs with different antecedents and consequences. Second, we argue that coping behavior provides interpersonal cues regarding what is wanted or needed in a stressful situation and that the members of the social environment respond accordingly.     

压力对大学生抑郁的影响机制:领悟社会支持与应对方式的中介作用

基于心理应激理论、素质-压力三模式以及社会支持主效果模型考察领悟社会支持、积极应对方式和消极应对方式在压力与抑郁关系中的链式中介效应,使用压力量表、领悟社会支持量表、应对方式量表和抑郁量表对抽取的641名大学生进行调查。研究显示:(1)领悟社会支持中介了压力对大学生抑郁的影响;(2)积极应对方式、消极应对方式中介了领悟社会支持对大学生抑郁的影响。因此,领悟社会支持以及应对方式在压力与大学生抑郁之间起链式中介作用。     

Emotional intelligence,cognitive ability and information search in tactical decision-making

Emotional intelligence (EI) may promote more effective decision-making under stress. In the present study, 167 participants completed a situation judgment test for EI, and performed a decision-making task based on an Antarctic rescue scenario. Participants were assigned to either a negative or neutral feedback group. Negative feedback significantly increased distress and impaired decision-making. EI failed to moderate the impacts of negative feedback, but higher EI was associated with greater information-search activity irrespective of feedback condition. It is concluded that ability EI may have a motivational component that may support more exhaustive analysis of both social and non-social stimuli.     

The relationship between positive parental involvement and identity achievement during adolescence

Parental support and provision of structure are linked to positive outcomes in adolescents, yet the influence of parental involvement on identity development during adolescence has not been clearly established. The present study examined the relationship between adolescent identity achievement and parental support, social monitoring, and school monitoring among 10th and 12th graders. It was hypothesized that parental support and monitoring would be associated with higher identity achievement. It was also our goal to clarify the relationship between gender and adolescent identity achievement. The girls in this study reported higher levels of each of the positive parental involvement factors than did boys, but there were no gender differences in identity achievement. Parental support and monitoring of social and school activities were significant predictors of identity achievement across age and gender. Results also suggested that the association between parental involvement and identity achievement differs by gender and it changes as a function of age.     

An investigation on the mediating role of coping strategies on locus of control-- wellbeing relationship

The relationship among coping strategies, locus of control, and workplace wellbeing is examined. The model hypothesizes that coping strategies mediate the relationship between locus of control and work place well being. To test the model, data was collected from 154 software professionals using separate tools to assess coping strategies, locus of control and work place wellbeing. Model fit for the collected data was examined using structural equation modeling technique with the help of AMOS. Results support the view that coping strategies mediate the relationship between locus of control and work place wellbeing. While the path between locus of control and wellbeing is significant, the path between coping distraction and wellbeing is not significant.     

Are smokers interested in genetic testing for smoking addiction? A socio-cognitive approach

Genetic advances have made genetically tailored smoking cessation treatments possible. In this study, we examined whether smokers are interested in undergoing a genetic test to identify their genetic susceptibility to nicotine addiction. In addition, we aimed to identify socio-cognitive determinants of smokers’ intention to undergo genetic testing. Following the protection motivation theory (PMT), we assessed the following constructs using an online survey among 587 smokers: threat appraisal (i.e. susceptibility and severity), fear, coping appraisal (i.e. response efficacy and self-efficacy), response costs and intention. In addition, knowledge, social norms and information-seeking behaviour were measured. Mean intention rates were 2.57 on a 5-point scale. Intention was significantly associated with threat appraisal and coping appraisal, as predicted by the PMT. Fear of the outcome was negatively associated with the intention to undergo genetic testing, but response costs, knowledge and social influence were not. Intention to undergo genetic testing in turn was positively related to seeking information about genetic testing and genetically tailored smoking cessation treatments. Smokers seem ambivalent or ‘on the fence’ with regard to undergoing a genetic test for smoking addiction. Socio-cognitive concepts such as susceptibility, severity, response efficacy and self-efficacy may be used to inform or educate smokers about the value of genetically tailored smoking cessation treatments.     

Are smokers interested in genetic testing for smoking addiction? A socio-cognitive approach

Genetic advances have made genetically tailored smoking cessation treatments possible. In this study, we examined whether smokers are interested in undergoing a genetic test to identify their genetic susceptibility to nicotine addiction. In addition, we aimed to identify socio-cognitive determinants of smokers' intention to undergo genetic testing. Following the protection motivation theory (PMT), we assessed the following constructs using an online survey among 587 smokers: threat appraisal (i.e. susceptibility and severity), fear, coping appraisal (i.e. response efficacy and self-efficacy), response costs and intention. In addition, knowledge, social norms and information-seeking behaviour were measured. Mean intention rates were 2.57 on a 5-point scale. Intention was significantly associated with threat appraisal and coping appraisal, as predicted by the PMT. Fear of the outcome was negatively associated with the intention to undergo genetic testing, but response costs, knowledge and social influence were not. Intention to undergo genetic testing in turn was positively related to seeking information about genetic testing and genetically tailored smoking cessation treatments. Smokers seem ambivalent or 'on the fence' with regard to undergoing a genetic test for smoking addiction. Socio-cognitive concepts such as susceptibility, severity, response efficacy and self-efficacy may be used to inform or educate smokers about the value of genetically tailored smoking cessation treatments.     

大学生应对策略的特点及其与社会支持水平关系的研究

以423名大学生为被试,采用问卷法考察了大学生应对策略的特点、性别差异及其与社会支持之间的关系.研究发现:(1)大学生更多地倾向于使用积极解决问题和寻求情感支持的应对策略,而转移注意力和消极解决问题应对策略相对较少;(2)社会支持总体感受水平与积极解决问题和寻求情感支持的应对策略显著正相关,而与消极解决问题和转移注意力的应对策略显著负相关;对男生而言,社会支持感受在积极解决问题应对策略上贡献率相对较大;对女生而言,社会支持感受在寻求情感支持应对策略上贡献率相对较大;(3)不仅不同性别大学生的应对策略存在显著差异,而且不同社会支持感受水平的同性别大学生的应对策略也存在显著差异.男生比女生采取更多的消极解决问题策略,而采取更少的寻求情感支持应对策略;不论男生或女生高社会支持感受组均比低社会支持感受组采用更多的积极解决问题和寻求情感支持的应对策略,而更少的采用转移注意力和消极解决问题的应对策略.     

What if we fake emotional intelligence? A test of criterion validity attenuation

We evaluate the extent to which established self-report measures of emotional intelligence (EI) are susceptible to socially desirable responding. A study was conducted to assess the relationship between EI and multiple outcomes across 3 experimental faking conditions. Using structural equation modeling, we found that the criterion validities of self-report EI measures in the prediction of life satisfaction, psychological distress, rational coping, and detachment coping are not attenuated in moderate social desirability settings, but are somewhat attenuated when faking is maximized. Moreover, partialing out social desirability does not yield any improvement of the predictive validity of self-report EI.     

Adolescent coping and support across multiple social environments

This paper considers how research on stress, coping, and social support in adolescence may be informed by a social ecological perspective. Two case studies are presented which examine contrasting strategies by which adolescents at risk may cope successfully. One strategy focuses on the use of a strong peer social network, the other on the use of school involvements. In both cases, the analyses emphasize coping and social network processes across multiple social environments. Preventive social-community interventions are suggested to circumvent potential trouble spots associated with the use of these strategies.     

Coping Strategies in Adolescents

Children and adolescents report that they experience stress in their lives and that they attempt to cope with that stress. Although most research on stress and coping has focused on adults, recent attention to adolescents suggests there are developmental changes in coping during adolescence and that particular coping strategies vary with gender and the type of stressors adolescents experience. This study examined coping strategies used by male and female students in early, middle, and late adolescence when they were coping with two different types of stressors: daily hassles and major life events. Older adolescents used a greater variety coping strategies and used methods that directly reduce the impact of the stressor and involved a cognitive component (e.g., planful problem solving; reappraisal) more often than younger adolescents. Adolescents in all age groups varied their strategies in relation to the type of stressor, but there were no significant gender differences. The findings suggest that significant changes during a relatively short period during adolescence may affect adaptive processes and have implications for intervention efforts aimed at reducing the negative effects of stress during this period of development.     

应对方式与认知训练对青少年情绪障碍易感性的影响

以往研究指出青少年阶段是情绪障碍的高发时期, 各种情绪问题深刻影响青少年的身心健康。通过文献分析得出青春期压力所采取的应对方式(即个体对压力事件做出反应的稳定方式)可能是决定青少年情绪障碍易感程度的核心因素; 而认知训练可降低该易感性, 从而提高青少年的心理健康水平。为了验证上述观点, 综合采用行为调查与生理测量, EEG/ERP与fMRI手段, 拟开展如下4个方面的研究工作：1)青春期发育阶段影响个体负性情绪易感性的大脑机制; 2)认知应对方式与青春期发育阶段的交互作用对负性情绪易感性的影响及大脑机制; 3)认知训练(包括注意训练、解释训练与接受训练)对健康青少年负面情绪易感性的调节作用及大脑可塑性机制; 4)认知训练对青少年抑郁/焦虑症患者情绪应对方式与临床症状的影响及大脑可塑性机制。通过上述系列研究, 揭示青少年更高情绪障碍易感性的认知神经机制, 找出并培养有利于青少年身心健康的情绪应对方法, 从而为情绪障碍的临床治疗奠定理论与实践基础。     

Psychosocial mediation of religious coping styles: a study of short-term psychological distress following cardiac surgery

Although religiousness and religious coping styles are well-documented predictors of well-being, research on the mechanisms through which religious coping styles operate is sparse. This prospective study examined religious coping styles, hope, and social support as pathways of the influence of general religiousness (religious importance and involvement) on the reduced postoperative psychological distress of 309 cardiac patients. Results of structural equation modeling indicated that controlling for preoperative distress, gender, and education, religiousness contributed to positive religious coping, which in turn was associated with less distress via a path fully mediated by the secular factors of social support and hope. Furthermore, negative religious coping styles, although correlated at the bivariate level with preoperative distress but not with religiousness, were associated both directly and indirectly with greater post-operative distress via the same mediators.     

Investigating the mediating effects of emotional intelligence and coping on problem behaviours in adolescents

This study explored the mediating effect of emotional intelligence (EI) and coping strategies on problem behaviours in Australian adolescents. One hundred and forty‐five adolescents (60 boys and 85 girls with a mean age of 12.02 years) completed self‐report instruments of EI, stress coping strategies, and problem behaviours. The relationships between Emotional Management and Control and engagement in internalising and externalising behaviours were found to be mediated by the use of non‐productive coping strategies. Mediation models of the relationship between problem behaviours and the Understanding Emotions and Emotional Recognition and Expression dimensions were found to be only partially mediated by the engagement in problem‐focused and non‐productive coping strategies. The results are discussed in regards to how coping strategies utilised in adolescence may produce more or less adaptive patterns of coping during adulthood. The development of emotional abilities may be required to improve coping outcomes for adolescents, which in turn may produce better psychological outcomes for adolescents in the long term.     

女性犯罪者的人格、应付方式、情境因素与犯罪行为研究

采用问卷法,对434名6类犯罪女性的人格、应付方式、情境因素(社会支持、负面生活事件)与犯罪行为的关系进行研究。结果表明,女性犯罪者的人格、应付方式、负面生活事件对不同犯罪类型的女性犯罪行为有不同预测力,不同女性犯罪类型有不同的回归方程;社会支持对女性犯罪行为的影响不显著。     

Emotional intelligence and life satisfaction in Chinese university students: The mediating role of self-esteem and social support

This study examined both the mediation effects of social support and self-esteem for the relationship between trait emotional intelligence and life satisfaction in late adolescence. The participants were 489 Chinese college students with an age range of 17–23 years. Data were collected by using the Wong Law Emotional Intelligence Scale, the Multi-Dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Path analysis showed that social support and self-esteem fully mediated the relationship between trait EI and life satisfaction in late adolescence. Moreover, a multi-group analysis indicated that the males with high social support are more likely to gain greater life satisfaction than the female counterparts. Implications for future research and limitations of the present findings are discussed.     

Emotional intelligence and life satisfaction in Chinese university students: The mediating role of self-esteem and social support

This study examined both the mediation effects of social support and self-esteem for the relationship between trait emotional intelligence and life satisfaction in late adolescence. The participants were 489 Chinese college students with an age range of 17–23 years. Data were collected by using the Wong Law Emotional Intelligence Scale, the Multi-Dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Path analysis showed that social support and self-esteem fully mediated the relationship between trait EI and life satisfaction in late adolescence. Moreover, a multi-group analysis indicated that the males with high social support are more likely to gain greater life satisfaction than the female counterparts. Implications for future research and limitations of the present findings are discussed.     

College Adjustment and Subjective Well‐Being When Coping With a Family Member's Illness

Individuals coping with the chronic or terminal illness of a family member are presented with a unique challenge that may influence their adjustment and overall well‐being. This study investigated variables that relate to college adjustment and subjective well‐being, including attachment, social support, coping, and illness‐related constructs, in a sample of undergraduate students (N = 171) faced with this family crisis. The findings and counseling implications for this group are discussed.