Coping and defense: constellations vs. components.

Abstract

This study examined how patterns of coping and defense, as well as their main effects, influence well-being. Using a cross-sectional survey design, questionnaire data were collected and analyzedfrom 207 university students facing the stress of annual examinations in India. Coping was generally and positively correlated with positive affects (such as satisfaction) whereas defense was primarily and positively correlated with somatic complaints and negative affects. Regarding patterns of coping, mobilization to take action was associated with negative affect when the coping mechanism of problem diagnosis was relatively low. When diagnosis was relatively high, mobilization was associated with either no change in affect or an improvement in it. Coping and defense, but not their combinations, buffered certain effects of poor fit on indicators of ill-being. The similarities and differences between these findings and those of other investigators suggest that coping may buffer the effects of stressors on ill-being only when stressors are subjectively controllable.