Effective coping strategies employed by university students in three sensitivity groups: a quantitative text analysis

Abstract

People differ in their sensitivity to internal and external stimuli, falling into one of three sensitivity groups (low, medium, and high). Studies have pointed out that individual differences in sensitivity should be considered in psychological intervention settings. This study aimed to explore effective coping strategies in the three sensitivity groups. In total, 692 Japanese university students (389 females; M age = 20.6 ± 1.4 years) responded to an open-ended question about the coping strategies they employ, and to two self-report measures assessing their level of sensitivity and mental health. A series of co-occurrence network analyses with two grouping variables (i.e., better or poorer mental health) suggested that effective coping strategies differed among the three sensitivity groups.

Individual differences in environmental sensitivity: associations between cognitive emotion regulation and mental health

“…At the time of the first survey (November 2020), they had about 5.4 million web survey monitors all over Japan. Many researchers have collaborated with the company to collect data (Yano et al, 2021a), suggesting the high quality and reliability of their data. The respondents were given points exchangeable for cash as rewards if they completed a questionnaire online.…”

“…Lionetti et al 's (2022) empirical investigation supported this assumption, while emphasizing the moderating role of the parenting environment. Additionally, the results of an open-ended survey conducted to explore the characteristics and effectiveness of coping strategies among university students with high and low sensitivity (Yano et al, 2021a) indicated that although strategies related to emotion regulation were extracted in all the sensitivity groups, their associations with mental health partly differed between the groups. Specifically, while positive thinking (similar to positive reappraisal) may be more effective for individuals with higher sensitivity, it may be important for lower-sensitivity individuals to receive emotional and instrumental support from friends who understand their feelings and offer useful advice.…”

“…Given that over 300 million people globally live with mental disorders (GBD 2017 Disease and Injury Incidence and Prevalence Collaborators, 2018), findings regarding the association between cognitive emotion regulation strategies and mental health can provide key information for practice. Although such associations may differ by the level of environmental sensitivity (Aldao et al, 2010;Yano et al, 2021a), few studies have examined their moderating effect. Therefore, further longitudinal studies are required to enhance their adaptability to practice (Yano and Oishi, 2018).…”

“…To overcome the limitations of past studies, this longitudinal study aimed to investigate whether environmental sensitivity moderates the associations between each strategy of cognitive emotion regulation and mental health. Building on the existing findings (Bratholm Wyller et al, 2017;Yano et al, 2021a;Lionetti et al, 2022), the authors hypothesized the moderating effect of environmental sensitivity on the associations between positive reappraisal, rumination, catastrophizing, and refocusing on planning and mental health: the former three strategies play a vital role for those with higher sensitivity and the other is important for low-sensitivity individuals. Unfortunately, clear hypotheses on other strategies could not be proposed because of a lack of evidence.…”

Increase Students’ Self-Confidence and Reduce Anxiety During Covid-19: Is Coping Strategy Becomes the Solution?

“…In addition, emotional-focused coping strategies have a significant effect on controlling emotions and are the key to improving cognitive, affective, motivational abilities (Basith et al, 2021), while problem-focused coping strategies can make a person have the ability to overcome a problem (Muthmainah et al, 2021). A recent study reported that coping strategies are the key to dealing with all problems that often arise during the current COVID-19 pandemic (Yano et al, 2021). Coping strategies are able to change threats into challenges, so that they can increase faith and self-confidence, students are more motivated and able to control the situation becomes more conducive (Litwic-Kaminska, 2020).…”