Date of Award
Fall 12-1-1993
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Virginia E. O'Leary
Second Advisor
Michael J. Murphy
Abstract
Nolen-Hoeksema (1987, 1991) has suggested that males engage in more problem-focused, distractive, coping strategies, whereas females engage in more emotion-focused, ruminative, coping strategies. This study tested NolenHoeksema's response styles theory, which suggests that using a ruminative response style may predispose women to depression more than men. It also examined perceptions of effective coping and utilization of social support. One hundred and twenty subjects completed the Ways of Coping Checklist, a coping questionnaire, the Perceptions of Coping Questionnaire, the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25, the Inventory of Socially Supportive Behavior, and the Personality Attributes Questionnaire. Results provide evidence for sex differences in the frequencies of use of coping strategies and type of social support, as well as in the perceived effectiveness of coping strategies used by one's self and with others. Depressive symptoms were found to be positively related to ruminative coping styles and negatively related to problem-focused coping.
Recommended Citation
Johnson, Judy L., "Sex Differences in Coping" (1993). All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3439.
https://scholars.indianastate.edu/etds/3439
Included in
Behavioral Disciplines and Activities Commons, Clinical Psychology Commons, Health Psychology Commons, Women's Studies Commons