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Coping as an Individual Difference Variable

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Sourcebook of Social Support and Personality

Part of the book series: The Springer Series in Social/Clinical Psychology ((SSSC))

Abstract

Bill, a 20-year-old psychology major at Bucknell University, is experiencing numerous life stresses. In addition to the expected academically related events, Bill is also “stressed” about his transition from college to the real world. Questions about what he can do with a psychology degree, what he should do about a long-standing romantic relationship, and where he will live after graduation are each associated with substantial psychological and emotional discomfort. Understanding how Bill deals with these stresses, why he uses the strategies he uses, and what impact these efforts have on his adjustment have long been of interest to coping researchers. In obtaining answers to these three issues, coping researchers have, over the preceding 15 years, taken a decidedly situation-specific view. Of paramount concern has been understanding how characteristics of the situation itself and one’s view of that situation influence coping strategy use. While providing us with a wealth of detailed information about what individuals do when confronted with particular life circumstances, the situation-specific view has to some extent neglected the role played by stable aspects of the individual.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, 17837, USA

    J. T. Ptacek & Sheila Gross

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  1. J. T. Ptacek
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  2. Sheila Gross
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Hamilton College, Clinton, New York, 13323, USA

    Gregory R. Pierce

  2. Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, 48202, USA

    Brian Lakey

  3. Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195, USA

    Irwin G. Sarason  & Barbara R. Sarason  & 

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Ptacek, J.T., Gross, S. (1997). Coping as an Individual Difference Variable. In: Pierce, G.R., Lakey, B., Sarason, I.G., Sarason, B.R. (eds) Sourcebook of Social Support and Personality. The Springer Series in Social/Clinical Psychology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1843-7_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1843-7_4

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