Effect of Stress, Perception-Related Traits, and Motivation on Different Coping Strategies

A coping model emphasizing the influence of stress, perception-related traits, and motivation on different coping strategies was tested in this study. The three strategies are problem-solving, social support-seeking, and avoidance. Participants were 332 college students in Taiwan. Variables involved in the model explained 29% of variance in problem-solving, 13% of variance in avoidance, and 9% of variance in social support-seeking. These combined findings show that the model tested is more effective in exploring determinants of problem-solving than those of social support-seeking and avoidance. Results also showed that traits could predict the coping strategy that shares a common orientation with them. Secure attachment (a relationship-related trait) could predict social support-seeking (a relationship-related coping strategy). Self-efficacy (a performance-related trait) could predict problem-solving (a performance related coping strategy). In addition, trait resilience mediated between selfefficacy and problem-solving as well as between stress and avoidance. The practical implications of the findings are discussed.