Communal coping: A multi-method approach with links to relationships and health

Abstract

Communal coping is defined as the appraisal of a problem as shared and collaboration to address the problem. The goals of the present study were to apply a multi-method approach to (1) disentangle appraisal and collaboration, (2) establish links to relationships and health outcomes, and (3) demonstrate that collaboration mediates the relations of shared appraisal to outcomes. Self-report measures, an observational measure, and we-language were assessed in patients with type 2 diabetes and their spouses ( n = 207). A confirmatory factor analysis distinguished the two components of communal coping; each component was linked to greater relationship quality and less psychological distress for patients and spouses as well as better diabetes self-care behaviors for patients. Mediation analyses suggested that the links of shared appraisal to these outcomes were largely accounted for by collaboration.

An experimental approach to communal coping

“…Although there is a large and growing literature showing that communal coping is linked to better coping, enhanced relationship well-being, reduced psychological distress, and better physical health (e.g., Van Vleet et al, 2018; Zajdel & Helgeson, 2020) that work has failed to examine causality. The prior work’s strength has been external validity rather than internal validity.…”

“…At Time 2, speakers were asked to indicate how much they agreed with statements ranging from 1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree: “This task is solely my responsibility”; “This task is as much my friend’s task as it was mine”; and “I was instructed to think of this task as a shared responsibility between me and my friend.” Partners answered the same three questions except the first statement read as: “This task is solely my friend’s responsibility.” These measures were designed for the specific stressor but adapted from previous research (e.g., Zajdel & Helgeson, 2020). Reliability was good for both speaker (α = .85) and partner (α = .89).…”

“…In contrast, some researchers have focused on the collaboration portion of communal coping and found links to positive relationship and health outcomes. For example, collaboration has been linked to more positive adjustment on a daily basis in men with prostate cancer and their spouses (Berg et al, 2008), and to better relationship quality, less psychological distress, and better self-care behaviors among persons with diabetes (Zajdel & Helgeson, 2020). An interpersonal coping strategy that is closely related to collaboration—common dyadic coping—has also been linked to fewer depressive symptoms in women with breast cancer (Rottmann et al, 2015) as well as better diet and exercise adherence in persons with type 2 diabetes (Johnson et al, 2013).…”

“…More recently, researchers have suggested that shared appraisal and collaboration are distinct aspects of communal coping rather than representative of a single holistic construct (e.g., Zajdel & Helgeson, 2020). In fact, there is evidence to suggest that there is synergy between shared appraisal and collaboration.…”

Stability of shared appraisal: The role of attachment and implications for relationships and health

“…However, shared appraisal may not be static. For example, one study showed that 39% of the variance in appraisal scores measured daily across 14 days were attributed to within-person fluctuations among patients with type 2 diabetes (Zajdel & Helgeson, in press). Although this finding suggests fluctuations in appraisal exist, the researchers did not specifically study fluctuations or examine their correlates or links to relationship and health.…”