ENGAGEMENT COPING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN

Engagement Coping Differences et!een Men an" Women Pa#$ M% &ing 'ni(ersit) of Nort* Caro$ina at Pem ro+e

ENGAGEMENT COPING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN ABSTRACT

T*is st#") in(estigates t*e coping strategies #ti$i-e" ) men an" !omen as a response to stress% Se(ent).nine participants /01 ma$es an" 23 fema$es4 $i(ing in t*e so#t*eastern 'nite" States comp$ete" t*e Coping Strategies In(entor) /CSI45 "e(e$ope" ) To in et a$% /136345 a re(iate" to contain 07 engagement coping items% No significant gen"er "ifferences !ere i"entifie" regar"ing t*e #se of engagement coping strategies% Women reporte" e8periencing a *ig*er $e(e$ of stress t*an men% Men reporte" #sing more pro $em.foc#se" coping strategies s#c* as cogniti(e restr#ct#ring an" pro $em so$(ing% Women reporte" #sing socia$ s#pports more t*an ot*er engagement coping strategies% A$t*o#g* t*e researc* 9#estion pro(e" inconc$#si(e5 t*is st#") pro(i"es s#pport for pre(io#s researc*%

ENGAGEMENT COPING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN

Engagement Coping Differences between Men and Women Stress is consi"ere" a significant pro $em to"a) !it* o(er *a$f of Americans s#r(e)e" reporting mo"erate to *ig* $e(e$s of stress /American Ps)c*o$ogica$ Association :APA;5 <&e) Fin"ings5= ,1114% Stress can e "efine" as t*e e8perience or perception of "iffic#$t)5 "anger or *ar"s*ip />a-ar#s5 Speisman5 Mor"+off5 ? Da(i"son5 137,@ Cr#m5 Sa$o(e) ? Ac*or5 ,1104% Fort).fo#r percent of t*ose s#r(e)e" asses t*eir stress as more pro $ematic t*an in fi(e )ears prior% On$) 0,A fe$t t*e) a"e9#ate$) manage t*e stress t*e) e8perience an" 7A !*o "o not*ing at a$$ to a""ress it /APA <&e) Fin"ings5=4% Researc* *as fo#n" corre$ations et!een stress an" p*)sica$ s)mptoms s#c* as *ea"ac*es5 "epression5 "igestion pro $ems an" m#sc$e tension% Man) times stress affects c*anges in e*a(ior s#c* as screaming5 anger an" $ac+ of moti(ation% C*anges in appetite an" se8 "ri(e ma) a$so occ#r "#ring perio"s of stress /APA <&e) Fin"ings=@ Sapo$s+)5 ,1124% Ps)c*o$ogica$ affects s#c* as "epression5 impaire" cognition5 an" "iffic#$ties in memor) retrie(a$ *a(e een $in+e" to stress /Sapo$s+)@ >a-ar#s5 Speisman5 Mor"+off5 ? Da(ison@ Cr#m5 Sa$o(e) ? Ac*or4% Stress and Gender Differences T*e !a) stress is e8perience" "iffers et!een ma$es an" fema$es /Tamres5 Banic+i5 ? Ce$geson5 ,11,@ Ta)$or5 &$ein5 >e!is5 Gr#en!a$"5 G#r#ng ? 'p"egraff5 ,111@ Watson5 Go* ? Sa!ang5 ,1114% Women report se(ere stress more often t*an men /APA <Stress an" Gen"er5= ,111@ Tamres et a$%4 an" s#ggests !*) !omen *a(e een fo#n" to imp$ement coping more often as !e$$ /Tamres et a$%4% Women reporte" cr)ing /22A (s% 1DA45 *ea"ac*es /21A (s% 01A45 fatig#e /20A (s% 03A4 an" fee$ing "epresse" /06A (s% 01A4 more often t*an men /APA <Stress

ENGAGEMENT COPING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN an" Gen"er=4% Researc* *as fo#n" t*at men more often t*an !omen "o not*ing to a""ress t*e stress t*e) fee$ /APA <Stress an" Gen"er5= ,111@ Tamres et a$%4% Stress Appraisal W*en a stressor is recogni-e"5 an imme"iate appraisa$ of t*e nat#re5 se(erit)5 persona$

significance /McCrae5 13324 an" "egree of contro$ /Car(er5 S*eier ? Weintra# 5 1363@ Ces-en. NeiEo"e+5 133F4 is assesse"% T*is is ca$$e" t*e primar) appraisa$% A secon"ar) appraisa$ fo$$o!s5 in(entor)ing a(ai$a $e reso#rces to a""ress t*e stressor or its affects /Fo$+man5 >a-ar#s5 Gr#en ? De>ongis 1367@ Watson5 Go*5 Sa!ang5 ,1114% T*is information g#i"es t*e person to c*oose a coping strateg) to emp$o) /Bo$ger5 1331@ Green5 C*oi ? &ane ,111@ McCrae5 1362@ Tamres et a$%5 ,11,@ Terr)5 1332@ To in5 Co$ro)"5 Re)no$"s ? Wiga$5 1363@ Watson5 Go* ? Sa!ang4% T*e appraisa$ stages at !*ic* men an" !omen e8perience stress an" c*oose coping strategies "iffer% Men c*oose coping strategies after primar) appraisa$ #t e8perience stress after a(ai$a $e reso#rces are assesse"% Women fee$ stresse" after t*e primar) appraisa$ #t c*oose t*e coping strategies after t*e primar) an" secon"ar) appraisa$s% T*is ma) e8p$ain !*) !omen assess stress more se(ere$) t*an men an" t*erefore imp$ement coping strategies more often% Men ma) e8perience more stress at times !*en reso#rces "o not seem s#fficient to a""ress t*e stressor /Watson5 Go*5 ? Sa!ang5 ,1114% Coping Coping *as een "escri e" as cognition or e*a(ior t*at attempts to a""ress eit*er t*e stressor or t*e emotiona$ effects t*at t*e stressor imposes on t*e person% /Tamres et a$%5 ,11,4% Coping is $earne" an" t*ro#g* time a person is e9#ippe" !it* a repertoire of strategies t*at *a(e pro(en s#ccessf#$ in t*e past /Ces-en.NieEo"e+5 133F@ Tamres et a$%@ Terr)5 13324% T*e co$$ection of coping strategies a person $earns is "epen"ent #pon t*e stressors e8perience"

ENGAGEMENT COPING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN

/Bo$ger5 1331@ Green5 C*oi ? &ane ,111@ McCrae5 1362@ Tamres et a$%@ Terr)@ To in5 Co$ro)"5 Re)no$"s ? Wiga$5 1363@ Watson5 Go* ? Sa!ang5 ,11145 t*e reso#rces a(ai$a $e /Watson5 Go* ? Sa!ang@ Green5 C*oi ? &ane5 ,11145 t*e personGs cogniti(e a i$ities /&at- ? Epstein5 133145 *o! confi"ent a person fee$s /MacNair ? E$$iot5 133,@Watson5 Go* ? Sa!ang45 an" temperament of t*e person /Car(er5 S*eier ? Weintra# 5 13634% Ot*er factors s#c* as age5 gen"er5 c#$t#re an" socia$.economic stat#s can inf$#ence *o! coping st)$es are "e(e$ope" /Co!erton ? G#n")5 ,1134% Se(era$ t*eories *a(e een post#$ate" to s#ggest t*e origins of coping st)$es% Situational and Transactional Models Specific sit#ations an" stressors can instigate !*at coping c*oices a person ma+es% T*e sit#ationa$ significance to t*e person an" t*e percei(e" contro$$a i$it) of o#tcomes can "etermine coping strategies t*at are emp$o)e"% /Car(er5 S*eier ? Weintra# 5 1363@ McCrae5 13624% In circ#mstances of $oss5 s#c* as "eat*5 socia$ s#pport an" e8pressing emotions ma) e more appropriate strategies5 !*i$e stressors of a c*a$$enging nat#re ma) re9#ire more pro $em so$(ing strategies /McCrae5 13624% T*e en(ironment is a$so a factor in coping% Socia$ e8pectations an" a(ai$a $e reso#rces are a part in t*e coping process /Fo$+man5 >a-ar#s5 Gr#en ? De>ongis5 13674% Problem-Focused and Emotion-Focused Coping Fo$+man an" >a-ar#s /136D4 concept#a$i-e" coping e*a(iors in t!o categories5 pro $em.foc#se" an" emotion.foc#se" e*a(iors% Pro $em.foc#se" coping inc$#"e" efforts to a""ress t*e stressor "irect$)5 !*i$e emotion.foc#se" coping attempte" to atten" to t*e ps)c*o$ogica$ "iscomfort ro#g*t on ) t*e stressor /Fo$+man ? >a-ar#s@ Tamres et a$%@ To in et a$%5 13634% Pro $em.foc#se" coping inc$#"e" p$anning an" "irect$) a""ressing t*e sit#ation !it*

ENGAGEMENT COPING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN t*e goa$ of a$$e(iating t*e stressor% Emotion.Foc#se" coping inc$#"es p#rs#ing socia$ s#pport5

a(oi"ing or "istraction from t*e stressor5 an" e8pressing emotions% In t*e ear$) )ears /1371Gs4 of t*is para"igm emotion.foc#se" !as consi"ere" $ess a"apti(e t*an pro $em.foc#se"% Women in !estern ci(i$i-ations at t*at time !ere restricte" to "omestic an" n#rt#ring ro$es t*at some researc*ers sa) are eneficia$ !it*in t*ose conte8ts /Gon-H$e-.Mora$es et a$%5 ,1174% Co!erton an" G#n") / Dispositional Model Attit#"e an" min"set *a(e a significant inf$#ence on t*e !a) stressf#$ sit#ations are interprete" an" t*e coping c*oices t*at are ma"e /Cr#m5 Sa$o(e) ? Ac*or ,110@ Iosgera#5 ,1114% Cr#m et a$% /,1104 e8amine" *o! optimism an" pessimism interacts !it* stress appraisa$ an" coping c*oices% A positi(e attit#"e to!ar" a stressor can pro(i"e an apposite $e(e$ of aro#sa$ !*ic* can "ecrease an8iet) an" t*e p*)sica$ stress response% Peop$e !it* negati(e min"sets respon" to stressors t*at s#ggest potentia$ for fai$#re5 $oss or contro$ !it* more "isengagement in t*e coping process /D#n+$e)5 J#roff ? B$an+stei5 ,1104% Car(er et a$% /13634 fo#n" a mo"est re$ations*ip et!een temperament an" coping c*oices% ole Constraint Model C#$t#ra$ norms s*ape gen"er "ifferences /McCrae5 1362@ Tamres et a$%5 ,11,4% In !estern c#$t#re5 man) times gir$s are raise" to #ti$i-e emotiona$ coping mec*anisms5 !*i$e o)s ma) e "isco#rage" /Tamres et a$%4% Women ma) e8perience "ifferent forms of stress "#e to t*e ro$e t*e) f#$fi$$ an" t*erefore (a$#e coping strategies t*at *a(e pro(e" eneficia$ !it*in t*e conte8t of t*ose sit#ations /Watson et a$%5 ,1114% Coping st)$es are forme" ) e8periences from coping in t*e past /Tamres et a$%4% Women e8perience stress "ifferent$) t*an men !*en performing in tra"itiona$ ma$e ro$es in t*e conte8t of emp$o)ment% Fema$es *a(e "ifferent so#rces of stress

ENGAGEMENT COPING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN

!*ic* initiates a "ifferent coping st)$e /Watson et a$%5 ,1114% Men #se a(oi"ance coping !it*in an interpersona$ re$ations*ip conte8t% T*e) post#$ate t*at men "o not percei(e as m#c* contro$ in re$ations*ip conf$icts as t*e) ma) in ot*er stressf#$ sit#ations% Beca#se confi"ence is $ac+ing5 men c*oose not to a""ress t*e stressor /Tamres et a$%4% Coping and Gender Differences Researc* *as in(estigate" t*e "ifferences et!een men an" !omen in regar"s to specific stressors an" coping strategies eac* gen"er emp$o)s /Gon-H$e-.Mora$es et a$%5 ,117@ Cami$ton ? Fagot5 1366@ Co!erton ? G#n")5 ,113@ Tamres et a$%5 ,11,@ Watson et a$%5 ,1114% Tra"itiona$ (ie!s of gen"er.specific coping assign see+ing socia$ s#pport an" emotiona$ e8pression strategies to !omen an" pro $em.so$(ing strategies to men /Co!erton ? G#n")@ Tamres et a$%4@ *o!e(er5 researc* *as een inconc$#si(e regar"ing t*ese stereot)pica$ (ie!s% Gon-H$e-.Mora$es et a$% report t*at !omen emp$o)ees from Spain #ti$i-e socia$ s#pport coping more often t*an men !*i$e t*ere appeare" to e no gen"er "ifferences regar"ing t*e #se of pro $em.so$(ing strategies% Cami$ton an" Fagot5 /136645 "i" not fin" t*at 'nite" States #n"ergra"#ate st#"ents "emonstrate coping !it*in tra"itiona$ e8pectations% Conf$icting res#$ts from researc* raise 9#estions regar"ing t*e re$ations*ip et!een t*e gen"ers an" coping strategies% Gon-a$e-.Mora$es et a$% /,1174 fo#n" no "ifferences in t*e fre9#enc) of pro $em so$(ing coping5 a +e) factor in pro $em.foc#se" coping% In contrast5 some researc* asserts t*at ot* men an" !omen #ti$i-e pro $em Kfoc#se" coping /Co!erton ? G#n")5 ,1134% Sti$$ ot*er in(estigators fin" t*at !omen e8cee" in t*e #se of pro $em.foc#se" coping /Tamres et a$%5 ,11,4% Bo$ger /13314 s#ggests t*at acti(e$) a""ressing stressors ma) act#a$$) intensif) t*e stress

ENGAGEMENT COPING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN

e8perience% Women ma) e8perience more stress eca#se t*e) percei(e stress "#ring t*e primar) appraisa$ perio" /Watson et a$%5 ,11145 creating a "ri(e to imp$ement coping more% Differences et!een gen"ers are more consistent in researc* $iterat#re for t*e #se of e8pressing emotions as coping% Women *a(e een fo#n" to #se t*e e8pression of emotion more often t*an men /Tamres et a$%4% Emotiona$ e8pression can e *e$pf#$ to re"#ce stress in sit#ations of $oss s#c* as "eat*5 a con"ition t*at cannot e c*ange"5 )et ca#se more an8iet) !*en t*e person is e8periencing a stressor for an e8ten"e" perio" of time /McCrae5 1362@ Car(er et a$%5 13634% Nea$ an" Cammer /,1134 fo#n" t*at t*e #se of emotiona$ e8pression5 as a means of coping5 significant$) re"#ce" s)mptoms of "epression in !omen@ *o!e(er5 men "i" not rea$i-e t*e same enefits /Co!erton ? G#n")5 ,1134% Women e8perience an emotiona$ response to stress more often t*an men as a coping strateg) an" see+ o#t opport#nities to recei(e socia$ s#pport "#ring times of stress /Tamres et a$%5 ,11,4% Coping Strategies !n"entor# To in et a$% /13634 #se" factoria$ ana$)sis to "esign t*ree $e(e$ tiers to concept#a$i-e coping strategies% T!o t)pes of *ig*est $e(e$ 5 engagement an" "isengagement@ fo#r secon"ar) s# sca$es5 pro $em.foc#se" engagement5 emotion.foc#se" engagement5 pro $em.foc#se" "isengagement an" emotion.foc#se" "isengagement@ an" eig*t primar) s# sca$e categories5 pro $em.so$(ing5 cogniti(e restr#ct#ring5 emotion e8pression5 socia$ s#pport5 pro $em a(oi"ance5 !is*f#$ t*in+ing5 se$f.criticism5 an" socia$ !it*"ra!a$% Engagement and Disengagement To in et a$% /136345 "e(e$ope" t*e Coping Strategies In(entor) ase" #pon >a-ar#s an" Fo$+manGs /1362 4 Wa)s of Coping L#estionnaire !*ic* intro"#ce" t*e concept of pro $em. foc#s an" emotion.foc#s coping% To in et a$%Gs mo"e$ !as str#ct#re" in a t*ree tier para"igm5

ENGAGEMENT COPING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN #sing factoria$ ana$)sis% On t*e primar) $e(e$ To in et a$% i"entifie" eig*t factors@ pro $em

so$(ing5 cogniti(e restr#ct#ring5 emotiona$ e8pression5 see+ing socia$ s#pport5 !is*f#$ t*in+ing5 pro $em a(oi"ance5 socia$ !it*"ra!a$ an" se$f. $ame% Primar) factors $oa"e" #n"er fo#r secon"ar) tiers@ pro $em.foc#se" engagement to inc$#"e pro $em so$(ing an" cogniti(e restr#ct#ring5 pro $em.foc#se" "isengagement to inc$#"e pro $em a(oi"ance an" !it*"ra!a$5 emotion.foc#se" engagement to inc$#"e emotiona$ e8pression an" see+ing socia$ s#pport an" $ast$)5 emotion.foc#se" "isengagement to inc$#"e se$f. $ame an" !is*f#$ t*in+ing% T*e secon"ar) factors $oa"e" onto t*e tertiar) tiers engagement /pro $em.foc#se" engagement at emotion foc#se" engagement4 an" "isengagement /pro $em.foc#se" "isengagement an" emotion.foc#se" "isengagement4% T*e meas#rement assesse" coping st)$es t*ro#g* F, items5 nine items for eac* primar) factor /To in et a$%5 13634% T*e CSI !as #ti$i-e" to e8amine gen"er "ifferences !it* regar" to engagement coping strategies% T*is st#") propose" t*at !omen !o#$" #se engagement strategies more often t*an men% Met$od Participants Participants !ere 61 /men5 NM015 !omen5 NM235 transgen"er5 NM14 peop$e o(er 16 )ears of age5 recr#ite" in Nort* Caro$ina% Se(ent).t*ree participants /31%0A4 i"entifie" t*emse$(es as eit*er c#rrent st#"ents /61%1A4 or gra"#ate /11%0A4 at a #ni(ersit) or co$$ege% Se(en participants /6%6A4 "i" not "isc$ose an affi$iation !it* a co$$ege or #ni(ersit)% Participants came from a (ariet) of racia$Net*nic ac+gro#n"s inc$#"ing Ca#casian /06%6A45 African American /01%0A45 Nati(e American /1,%DA45 Cispanic an"Nor >atin "ecent /7%0A45 #nspecifie" i.racia$ *eritage /F%DA45 an" #nspecifie" ot*er /0%6A4% T*e samp$e "i" not inc$#"e participants !*o i"entifie" t*emse$(es as Asian% T*ree 9#arters of t*e participants /FD%1A4 "isc$ose" an ann#a$ income of

ENGAGEMENT COPING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN $ess t*an O0751115 !*i$e t*e maEorit) of participants /DD%1A4 reporte" an income of $ess t*an O115111 a )ear% Si8t) percent reporte" !or+ing eit*er part.time /0D%1A4 or f#$$.time /,D%1A4 !*en t*is researc* !as con"#cte"% Participants reporte" re$ations*ip stat#s as s#c*P sing$e /26%6A45 in a re$ations*ip /,6%6A45 marrie" /,1%1A45 or "i(orce" /,%DA4% Most participants /67%0A4 reporte" to *a(e a s#pport s)stem t*e) co#$" re$) on !*en stresse"% Measures Participants !ere gi(en a oo+$et 9#estionnaire pac+et t*at containe" t*e fo$$o!ing meas#resP Demograp$ic %uestionnaire& Demograp*ic information !as co$$ecte" #sing a nine.

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9#estion s#r(e) t*at in9#ire" participantGs se85 st#"entGs #ni(ersit) c$assification5 st#"entGs f#$$. time or part.time stat#s5 raceNet*nicit)5 emp$o)ment stat#s5 re$igion5 income5 re$ations*ip stat#s5 in"ication of an emotiona$ s#pport s)stem5 an" a se$f.report meas#re of t*e $e(e$ of c#rrent stress% Coping %uestionnaire& T!ent).one item meas#re in9#iring as to t*e $i+e$i*oo" t*e participant !o#$" engage in specific coping strategies /e%g% #sing m#sic5 a$co*o$5 or mariE#ana5 engaging in emotiona$ e8pression5 companions*ip5 e8cessi(e eating5 or creating acti(it)4 !*en fee$ing stresse"% A D.point >i+ert sca$e assesse" *o! $i+e$) t*e participant !o#$" #se t*ese coping strategies@ 1Mnot at a$$5 ,Ma $itt$e5 0Msome!*at5 2Mm#c*5 DM(er) m#c*% Coping Strategies !n"entor# 'CS!(& Participants !ere as+e" to t*in+ a o#t a recent <sit#ation or e(ent t*at ca#se" more stress t*an norma$%= T*irt).si8 items from t*e CSI !ere #se" to assess engagement coping strategies from fo#r categories /nine items for eac* categor)4 to inc$#"e@ pro $em so$(ing /I ma"e a p$an of action an" fo$$o!e" it45 cogniti(e restr#ct#ring /I reorgani-e" t*e !a) I $oo+e" at t*e sit#ation5 so t*ings "i"nGt $oo+ so a"45 e8press emotions /I

ENGAGEMENT COPING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN $et m) emotions o#t45 an" socia$ s#pport /I ta$+e" to someone a o#t *o! I !as fee$ing4% A D.

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point >i+ert sca$e !as #se" to asses t*e participantsQ $i+e$i*oo" t*e coping strateg) !as engage" "#ring t*at stressf#$ e(ent /1Mnot at a$$5 ,Ma $itt$e5 0Msome!*at5 2Mm#c*5 DM(er) m#c*4% To in et a$% /13634 reports re$ia i$it) coefficients for primar) s# sca$e items in eac* of t*e fo$$o!ing categoriesP pro $em so$(ing5 a M%6,5 cogniti(e restr#ct#ring5 a =%605 e8press emotions5 a M%635 an" socia$ s#pport5 a M%63% Secon"ar) s# sca$es of Pro $em Foc#se" Engagement an" Emotion Foc#se" Engagement "emonstrate" re$ia i$it) coefficients of a M%6F an" a =%3, respecti(e$)% T*e tertiar) $e(e$ of Engagement "emonstrate" re$ia i$it) coefficients of a = %31 /NM6114% Procedure Participants !ere recr#ite" from a So#t*eastern #ni(ersit) an" in t*e comm#nit)% Participants recei(e" "etai$s of t*e p#rpose an" proce"#re for t*is st#") ) t*e researc* assistant an" !ere presente" !ritten informe" consent5 !*ic* !as rea" an" signe" ) participants prior to a"ministering t*e meas#res pac+et% T*e a"ministering assistant remaine" a(ai$a $e to ans!er 9#estions an" to perform "e riefing once t*e meas#res *a" een comp$ete"% T*e participants !ere not c*arge" a fee nor !ere t*e) offere" an incenti(e to participate in t*e st#")% esults )#pot$esis Women /M M 11,%F,5 SD M ,2%164 "i" not report #se of engagement coping strategies significant$) more often t*an men /M M 117%F2%1F5 SD M 13%6045 t /F,4 M 1%F0D5 p M 1%27D% Self- eported Gender Differences and *e"el of Stress Women /M M 0%D15 SD M 1%374 "i" report a significant$) greater $e(e$ of stress t*an men /MM,%77F5 SDM1%6645 t /FF4 M .0%3105 p R 1%111% CS! Primar# and Secondar# Engagement Subscales and Gender Differences

ENGAGEMENT COPING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN

1,

At t*e primar) s# sca$e $e(e$5 men /M M 01%065 SD M D%134 #se" pro $em so$(ing coping strategies more often t*an !omen /M M ,6%7D5 SD M D%F245 t /F74 M ,%11,5 p = %106% Men /M M 0,%6F5 SD M 6%,F4 #se" cogniti(e restr#ct#ring coping strategies more often t*an !omen /M M ,F%6D5 SD M D%6D45 t /FD4 M 0%1175 p M %110% At t*e secon"ar) s# sca$e $e(e$5 men /M M 72%,F5 SD M 11%374 #se" pro $em foc#se" coping strategies more often t*an !omen /M M D7%725 SD M 11%1045 t /F24 M 0%11,5 p M %110% A$t*o#g* not statistica$$) significant5 !omen #se" socia$ s#pport more often /M M 01%D64 t*an pro $em so$(ing /M M ,6%7D4 or cogniti(e restr#ct#ring /M M ,F%6D4% Men #se" cogniti(e restr#ct#ring /M M 0,%6F4 more often t*an pro $em so$(ing /M M 01%064 or socia$ s#pport /M M ,7%2D4% Bot* men /MM ,2%,14 an" !omen /M M ,D%274 reporte" e8pressing emotions as t*e $east #se" coping strateg)% CS! !ndi"idual !tems and Gender Differences Fo#r items factoring #n"er t*e primar) s# sca$e cogniti(e restr#ct#ring reporte" significant fin"ings% Men /M M 0%3F5 SD M 1%104 reporte" *ig*er on item 11 <I steppe" ac+ from t*e sit#ation an" p#t t*ings into perspecti(e= t*an !omen /M M 0%165 SD M 1%1D45 t /FF4 M 0%1D5 p M %110% Men /M M 0%005 SD M 1%174 reporte" *ig*er on item 13 <I !ent o(er t*e pro $em again an" again in m) min" an" fina$$) sa! t*ings in a "ifferent $ig*t= t*an !omen /M M ,%F05 SD M 1%,,45 t /FF4 M ,%,,5 p M %1,3 % Men /M M 0%7F5 SD M 1%374 reporte" *ig*er on item ,F <I $oo+e" at t*ings in a "ifferent $ig*t an" trie" to ma+e t*e est of !*at !as a(ai$a $e= t*an !omen /M M 0%,15 SD M 1%3245 t /F74 M ,%1F05 p M %12,% Men /M M 0%0D5 SD M 1%114 reporte" *ig*er on item 0D <I con(ince" m)se$f t*at t*ings arenGt 9#ite as a" as t*e) seem= t*an !omen /M M ,%365 SD M 1%1F45 t /FF4 M ,%,125 p M %101%

ENGAGEMENT COPING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN T!o items /125 014 factoring #n"er t*e primar) s# sca$e pro $em so$(ing reporte"

10

significant fin"ings% Men /M M ,%7F5 SD M 1%024 reporte" *ig*er on item 12 <I !or+e" on so$(ing t*e pro $em in t*e sit#ation= t*an !omen /M M ,%F05 SD M 1%,,45 t /FF4 M ,%3,65 p M %112% Men /M M 0%3F5 SD M 1%374 reporte" *ig*er on item 01 < I tac+$e" t*e pro $em *ea" on= t*an !omen /M M 0%,,5 SD M 1%1145 t /FF4 M 0%1065 p M %110% One item /1,4 factoring #n"er t*e primar) s# sca$e emotion e8pression reporte" significant fin"ings% Women /M M ,%7F5 SD M 1%104 reporte" *ig*er on item 1, <M) fee$ings !ere o(er!*e$ming an" t*e) E#st e8p$o"e"= t*an men /M M 1%6F5 SD M 1%3145 t /FF4 M .,%3135 p M %11D% Coping Acti"ities %uestionnaire and Gender Differences T*ree items on t*e coping acti(ities 9#estionnaire report significant fin"ings% Women /M M 0%F35 SD M 1%134 reporte" *ig*er on 9#estion 7 <Co! $i+e$) are )o# to e8press )o#r emotions t*ro#g* cr)ing or $a#g*ing !*en stresse"S= t*an men /M M ,%2F5 SD M 1%2045 t /F74 M . 2%7,15 p R %111% Women /M M 0%7F5 SD M 1%214 reporte" *ig*er on 9#estion 11 <Co! $i+e$) are )o# to in"#$ge in a $ong s*o!er or at* !*en stresse"S= t*an men /M M ,%305 SD M 1%2145 t /F74 M .,%,035 p M %1,6% Men /M M 0%,F5 SD M 1%004 reporte" *ig*er on 9#estion 1F <Co! $i+e$) are )o# to form an e8ercise regime !*en stresse"S= t*an !omen /M M ,%,15 SD 1%1,45 t /F74 M 0%61F5 p R %111% Problem Sol"ing and acial+Et$nic Differences African Americans /M M 01%FD5 SD M 2%004 #se" pro $em so$(ing strategies more often t*an Ca#casian Americans /M M ,6%7D5 SD M 7%2745 t /D04 M .,%1,75 p M %126% African Americans report #sing pro $em.foc#se" strategies more often t*an Ca#casian Americans t /D,4 M .,%1D15 p M %12D% T!o items from t*e CSI "emonstrate" significant res#$ts@ T11 an" T12%

ENGAGEMENT COPING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN African Americans /M M 0%215 SD M 1%164 reporte" #sing item T11 <It !as a tric+) pro $em5 so I *a" to !or+ aro#n" t*e e"ges to ma+e t*ings come o#t O&= more often t*an

12

Ca#casian Americans /M M ,%7D5 SD M 1%,045 t /D24 M .,%2125 p M %113% African Americans /M M 2%175 SD M 1%7,4 reporte" #sing itemT 12 <I !or+e" on so$(ing t*e pro $em in t*e sit#ation= more often t*an Ca#casian Americans /M M 0%2,5 SD M 1%1,45 t /D24 M .,%3D75 p M %11D% Discussion )#pot$esis Researc* *as een inconc$#si(e as to gen"er "ifferences concerning t*e #se of pro $em. foc#se" coping% Tra"itiona$$) pro $em Kfoc#se" coping !as t*o#g*t to e #se" most often ) men% Recent st#"ies s#ggest t*at !omen #se pro $em so$(ing5 a +e) coping strateg) inc$#"e" #n"er t*e pro $em foc#se" factor5 more often t*an men /Tamres et a$% ,11,4% Ot*ers fo#n" no significant "ifferences et!een men an" !omen /Gon-a$e-.Mora$es et a$%5 ,117@ Co!erton ? G#n")5 ,1134% Researc* *as s*o!n t*at !omen emp$o) emotiona$ e8pression /Car(er et a$%5 1363@ Nea$ ? Cammer5 ,113@ Tamres et a$%4 an" see+ing socia$ s#pport /Car(er et a$%@ Gon-a$e-. Mora$es et a$%@ Tamres et a$%4 more t*an men5 !*ic* a$igns !it* tra"itiona$ (ie!s /Car(er et a$%@ >a-ar#s ? Fo$+man5 13624% A""itiona$$)5 Tamres et a$% fo#n" t*at !omen !o#$" imp$ement more coping strategies in genera$ t*an men% Base" #pon t*is researc* it seeme" reasona $e to post#$ate t*at fema$es !o#$" emp$o) engagement coping to a *ig*er e8tent@ *o!e(er5 t*e fin"ings in t*is st#") fai$e" to s#pport t*e *)pot*esis t*at !omen #se engagement coping strategies more often t*an men% T*is st#") s#pports past researc* t*at !omen report stress at *ig*er $e(e$s t*an "o men /APA <Stress an" Gen"er5= ,111@ Tamres et a$%5 ,11,45 men #se pro $em.foc#se" coping5 s#c* as cogniti(e restr#ct#ring an" pro $em so$(ing coping more t*an !omen /Co!erton ? G#n")@

ENGAGEMENT COPING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN Tamres et a$% ,11,45 an" t*at !omen cr) more often t*an men !*en e8periencing stress /APA <Stress an" Gen"er5= ,1114% T*is st#") a$so fo#n" t*at !omen emotiona$$) (ente" ) <e8p$o"ing= as a response to fee$ing o(er!*e$me"% An e8amination of t*e means for eac*

1D

primar) s# sca$e item fo#n" t*at !omen reporte" #sing socia$ s#pports most often fo$$o!e" ) pro $em so$(ing as t*e secon".most #ti$i-e" coping strateg)% Men primari$) #se" cogniti(e restr#ct#ring an" secon"$) pro $em so$(ing5 ot* pro $em.foc#se" strategies% T*e coping 9#estionnaire fo#n" t*at !omen report ta+ing $ong at*s or s*o!ers an" cr)ing as a response to stress significant$) more often t*an men% Men reporte" e8ercising as a means of coping significant$) more often t*an !omen% Interesting$)5 African Americans reporte" #sing pro $em.foc#se" coping from t*e secon"ar) s# sca$e an" pro $em so$(ing from t*e primar) s# sca$e significant$) more often t*an Ca#casian Americans% St#"ies e8amining racia$ an" c#$t#ra$ "ifferences et!een Ca#casian an" African Americans fo#n" t*at African Americans #ti$i-e pra)er an" optimistic attit#"es concerning t*e f#t#re more often !*en coping !it* serio#s *ea$t* iss#es% African Americans an" Cispanics !ere reporte" to #se a(oi"ance an" accepting responsi i$it) more often t*an Ca#casian Americans /&ieffer ? McDona$"5 ,1114% A""itiona$ researc* asserts t*at African

Americans #se cogniti(e restr#ct#ring5 pro $em.so$(ing an" see+ing socia$ s#pports "#ring times of stress /A""ison et a$% ,11F4% *imitations and Future esearc$ T*is st#")Gs "esign omitte" in9#ir) regar"ing t*e specific stressor consi"ere" ) eac* participant prior to comp$eting t*e 9#estionnaire pac+et% T*is information ma) *a(e een *e$pf#$ to "etermine coping st)$e as it re$ates to stressor t)pe s#c* as aca"emic press#res5 interpersona$ re$ations*ips5 financia$ c*a$$enges or ot*er so#rces of stress% Resi"entia$ information s#c* as on

ENGAGEMENT COPING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN or off camp#s *o#sing as !e$$ as participant age an" fami$) si-e ma) *a(e s*e" $ig*t on ot*er (aria $es t*at can not e consi"ere" #n"er t*is c#rrent "esign% T*e a sence of "isengagement items from t*e CSI as !e$$ as t*e incomp$ete $ist of

17

coping acti(ities to a""ress s)mptoms of t*e stress response restraine" imp$ications for a""ition to c#rrent scientific +no!$e"ge ase% T*e $imite" samp$e si-e5 omission of age "emograp*ics5 $ac+ of +no!$e"ge regar"ing stressor t)pe an" o#tcomes rea$i-e" *in"ers genera$i-ation of fin"ings to st#"ents or t*e genera$ pop#$ation% A more comp$e8 "esign to inc$#"e stressor t)pes5 an" appraisa$ patterns5 s)mptomatic responses to stress an" a compre*ensi(e assessment of coping e*a(iors ma) re(ea$ #n+no!n re$ations*ips for f#rt*er st#")% Se(era$ st#"ies state t*at #se of co$$ege #n"ergra"#ate st#"ents in t*eir st#"ies ma) $imit genera$i-ation of fin"ings to t*e ot*er pop#$ations /McNair ? E$$iot5 133,@ To in et a$%5 13634% A$t*o#g* t*is st#") pro(i"e" samp$es from t*e comm#nit)5 a maEorit) of participants !ere #n"ergra"#ate st#"ents atten"ing a so#t*eastern #ni(ersit)% A""itiona$$)5 Cami$ton an" Fagot /13664 fo#n" t*at #n"ergra"#ate st#"ents "i" not "emonstrate tra"itiona$ gen"er.ro$e e8pectations as it re$ates to coping% Future esearc$ F#t#re researc* ma) app$) ne! insig*ts for st#"ent stress e"#cation programs as !e$$ as #ni(ersit) co#nse$ors% G#i"e$ines to teac* more a"apti(e means of coping can e "e(e$ope" to *e$p st#"ents #se more effecti(e coping response% F#rt*er c#$t#ra$ researc* ma) e eneficia$ to e8amine *o! c#$t#re an" ro$e constraints !it*in c#$t#res inf$#ence coping c*oices for men an" !omen% !mplications

ENGAGEMENT COPING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN

1F

T*is researc* pro(i"es s#pport to fin"ings of past researc* in gen"er "ifferences as !e$$ as pro(i"es #ne8pecte" fin"ings t*at ma) initiate f#rt*er st#")% Beca#se of t*e e8c$#sion of "isengagement strategies an" "ata regar"ing specific stressor information5 app$ications of fin"ings are $imite"% Conclusions T*e p#rpose of t*is paper !as to e8amine gen"er "ifferences in re$ation to engagement coping st)$es% T*e fin"ings !ere inconc$#si(e concerning "ifferences et!een t*e fre9#enc) men an" !omen #ti$i-e engagement coping% Past researc* !as s#pporte" regar"ing !omenGs perception of stress as more se(ere /APA <Stress an" Gen"er5= ,111@ Tamres5 et a$%5 ,1114 an" menGs #se of pro $em.foc#se" coping5 inc$#"ing pro $em so$(ing an" cogniti(e restr#ct#ring /Co!erton ? G#n")5 ,113@ Tamres et a$%4% F#rt*er researc* is nee"e" to more c$ear$) "efine coping st)$es et!een gen"ers as !e$$ as to i"entif) "ispositiona$ an" sit#ationa$ factors t*at inf$#ence coping c*oices e)on" gen"er "ifferences%

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