Differential effects of coping in mental disorders: A prospective study in psychiatric outpatients

Abstract

The present follow-up study investigated the differential effects of dispositional coping styles on change in nine clinical syndromes of the Axis I spectrum of the DSM-III-R. Subjects were 155 psychiatric outpatients who were examined 6 and 7 years after their enrollment in the study. Coping accounted for up to 9% of the variance of symptom change over 1 year. As hypothesized, the effects of different coping styles varied considerably across the clinical syndromes. Active goal-oriented coping improved symptoms of the anxiety and the dependency spectrum; seeking social support had beneficial effects on symptoms of the depressive spectrum. The effects of the coping styles distraction, use of alcohol and other drugs, and focusing on and venting of emotions were detrimental, but again in a specific way. The results suggest that the differentiation of outcome criteria for coping is important.

Neuroticism, coping and change in MCMI‐II clinical syndromes: test of a mediator model

“…Over and above this, we would like to suggest that the role of coping in the transactional model of stress should be reconsidered. In line with other studies, this study has shown that negative effects of coping are more important than positive effects (Aldwin & Revenson, 1987;Carver & Scheier, 1994;Vollrath et al, 1996). However, just how these negative effects translate into symptoms of mental disorders is not known.…”

“…This has been amply documented in prospective studies. In particular, poor use of problem-focused coping and reliance on avoidance coping leads to a deterioration of mental health in response to stress (Aldwin & Revenson, 1987;Aspinwall & Taylor, 1992;Bolger, 1990;Bolger & Zuckerman, 1995;Carver et al, 1993;Carver & Scheier, 1994;Felton & Revenson, 1984;Hoffart & Martinsen, 1993;Holahan & Moos, 1991;Kleinke, 1992;Vollrath et al, 1996).…”

“…On the one hand, it was shown that neurotic traits were related to coping, even after a period of six years (Vollrath et al, 1995). On the other hand, it was found that coping had differential effects on change in different clinical mental syndromes (Vollrath et al, 1996).…”

Identifying the Risk of Deliberate Self‐Harm Among Young Prisoners by Means of Coping Typologies

“…The inmates of this group, by using comparatively more approach than avoidance coping, should have benefited from the supposed protective effects of this type of coping, but the results did not confirm this argument. In fact, there are prospective studies that report an increase of anxiety and threatening feelings, together with the use of problem‐focused strategies (Aldwin & Revenson, 1987; Vollrath, Alnaes & Torgersen, 2003). We suggest that perhaps the very situation of imprisonment, with its great limitations on freedom of performance, makes it difficult to put into practice those approach strategies directed toward the solution of problems, and therefore the subject ends up demoralized.…”

Differential Effects of Mental and Physical Health and Coping Style on Work Ability

“…22 We expected an interaction between active coping and both types of health, 20,23 because similar outcomes of coping were found for both mental and physical disorders. [24][25][26][27][28][29] In summary, for both mental and physical health, we hypothesized that negative effects of physical and mental health problems on work ability would be strongest for persons using an avoidant coping style and weakest for those using an active coping style and those seeking social support. This study was designed to address the following research questions:…”