The Self-Perception of Flexible Coping with Stress: A New Measure and Relations with Emotional Adjustment

Authors

Melanie J. Zimmer-Gembeck, Griffith University - AustraliaFollow
Ellen A. Skinner, Portland State UniversityFollow
Katheryn L. Modecki, Griffith University - Australia
Haley J. Webb, Griffith University - AustraliaFollow
Alex A. Gardner, Griffith University - Australia
Tanya Hawes, Griffith University - Australia
Ronald M. Rapee, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia

Published In

Cogent Psychology

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-2018

Subjects

Coping -- Psychology

Abstract

Objective: To develop a theoretically grounded measure of self-perceived ability to cope with stress in a flexible (i.e. non-rigid) manner and test associations with well-being. Method: Participants in Study 1 (N = 395, 17–56 years) completed surveys to report flexible coping with stress and well-being. In Studies 2 (N = 645, 17–27 years) and 3 (N = 558, 12–19 years), youth completed surveys with the 18-item Self-Perception of Flexible Coping with Stress (SFCS), and coping and well-being measures. Results: Three SFCS factors were supported, which aligned to the conceptualization including multiple coping strategy use (multiple CSU), coping rigidity, and situational coping. The SFCS subscales had good reliability and were modestly correlated with each other. Also, multiple CSU and situational coping were linked to better mental health, emotion regulation, greater use of adaptive coping strategies, and better self-worth. Coping rigidity was linked with more symptoms of anxiety and depression, more emotion dysregulation, greater use of problem-coping behaviors, and lower self-worth. Older participants reported they were higher in flexible coping and sex differences in multiple CSU and situational coping were found. Conclusions. The SFCS, a measure of the deployment of a coping “toolbox” that could allow individuals to respond adroitly to stressors, is reliable, valid, and associated with well-being.

Description

Copyright (c) 2018 The Authors

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Locate the Document

https://doi.org/10.1080/23311908.2018.1537908

DOI

10.1080/23311908.2018.1537908

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/33715

Citation Details

Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., Skinner, E. A., Modecki, K. L., Webb, H. J., Gardner, A. A., Hawes, T., & Rapee, R. M. (2018). The self-perception of flexible coping with stress: A new measure and relations with emotional adjustment. Cogent Psychology, 5(1), 1537908.