A daily diary study of coping in the context of the job demands-control-support model

We examined one of the processes thought to underpin Karasek and Theorell’s job demands-control-support model (1990). This is that control and support accentuate better well-being by fostering problem-focused coping with work demands. We also examined whether other forms of coping implemented through control and support are related to indicators of well-being. In a daily diary study of 29 workers in a public hospital, we found higher levels of subsequent goal attainment were associated with problem-focused coping implemented by executing control. Problem-focused coping implemented by eliciting support was associated with higher concurrent and subsequent levels of pleasant affect. We found other forms of coping were also associated with affect and goal attainment. The results have implications for elaboration of the DCS model.