Abstract
This study examined the relations betweensociotropy, autonomy, and stress severity ratings forhypothetical life events that were objectivelycategorized as interpersonal or achievement-related infocus. The hypothesis that sociotropy and autonomyserve as vulnerability factors to dysphoria in thepresence of life stress that matches the theme of thevulnerability was also examined in 6-week and 12-week follow-up evaluations. Results provided onlypartial support for the predicted relations amongsociotropy, autonomy, and perceived stress severityratings of interpersonal and achievement-related events. Longitudinal results failed to support thehypothesis that sociotropy and autonomy serve asvulnerability factors for matching interpersonal andachievement-related stress. It was concluded thatobjectively categorizing life events as interpersonal orachievement-related is problematic given that themeaning of life events can vary across individuals, andthat these meanings are likely to vary partly as a function of sociotropy and autonomy.
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Kwon, P., Whisman, M.A. Sociotropy and Autonomy as Vulnerabilities to Specific Life Events: Issues in Life Event Categorization. Cognitive Therapy and Research 22, 353–362 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018757128916
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018757128916