Date of Award

Fall 12-1-1992

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Carol Yoder

Second Advisor

Jerome Cerny

Third Advisor

Jean Kristeller

Abstract

This study examined coping strategies generated by a community sample of 527 adult men and women in response to three vignettes that described various presentations of depression. Analyses revealed quantitative differences by vignette and by subject variables. Results indicated that women gave more coping strategies than men. Social support was the most frequently suggested method of coping, and younger subjects mentioned it significantly more than older adults. Younger subjects also suggested ~ore inactive coping strategies in general. situational context was a strong determinant of type of strategy suggested, although beliefs about depression also influenced coping strategies. Results of multiple regression analyses revealed that these subject variables accounted for only a small amount of the variance when predicting strategy generation. Implications for interventions and prevention of depression are discussed.

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