Effect of Stress, Perception-Related Traits, and Motivation on Different Coping Strategies
Ming-hui Li
Abstract
A coping model emphasizing the influence of stress, perception-related traits, and motivation on different coping
strategies was tested in this study. The three strategies are problem-solving, social support-seeking, and
avoidance. Participants were 332 college students in Taiwan. Variables involved in the model explained 29% of
variance in problem-solving, 13% of variance in avoidance, and 9% of variance in social support-seeking. These
combined findings show that the model tested is more effective in exploring determinants of problem-solving than
those of social support-seeking and avoidance. Results also showed that traits could predict the coping strategy
that shares a common orientation with them. Secure attachment (a relationship-related trait) could predict social
support-seeking (a relationship-related coping strategy). Self-efficacy (a performance-related trait) could predict
problem-solving (a performance related coping strategy). In addition, trait resilience mediated between selfefficacy
and problem-solving as well as between stress and avoidance. The practical implications of the findings
are discussed.
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