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Cognitive defusion predicts more approach and less avoidance coping with stress, independent of threat and self-efficacy appraisals
Donald, James Atkins, Paul W. Parker, Phil Christie, Alison M. Guo, Jiesi
Donald, James
Atkins, Paul W.
Parker, Phil
Christie, Alison M.
Guo, Jiesi
Abstract
Objective: Recent evidence suggests that the way in which individuals relate to their aversive thoughts predicts behavioral effectiveness more than the content of such thoughts. This article is among the first to explore whether this is true for coping with stressful events. Method: Three studies with emerging adults (Study 1, N 5 202) and adults (Study 2, N 5 201; Study 3, N 5 141) tested whether changes in how individuals relate to their stress-related thoughts, measured using the individual-difference construct of cognitive defusion, predicted more approach and less avoidance coping behavior, controlling for stress-related appraisals. Results: We found that cognitive defusion predicted more approach coping (Studies 1 and 3) and less avoidance coping (Studies 2 and 3) following laboratory-induced stress (Study 1), naturally occurring monthly stress (Study 2), and daily stress (Study 3). These effects occurred independently of the effects of threat appraisals (Studies 1–3) and self-efficacy appraisals (Study 3) on coping responses. Conclusions: Cognitive defusion may be an important individual-difference predictor of coping behavior, adding to established theories of coping such as Lazarus and Folkman’s (1987) transactional theory.
Keywords
Date
2017
Type
Journal article
Journal
Journal of Personality
Book
Volume
85
Issue
5
Page Range
716-729
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Institute for Positive Psychology and Education
Faculty of Education and Arts
Faculty of Health Sciences
Institute for Positive Psychology and Education
Faculty of Education and Arts
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled