The influence of mood on the relation between proactive coping and rehabilitation outcomes.

The relationship between proactive coping, mood, and psychological and functional outcomes was examined in a sample of 228 older adults undergoing rehabilitation following joint replacement surgery. Proactive coping is a coping style that is goal oriented and involves approaching stressors as challenges rather than threats. It was hypothesized that older adults who use proactive coping strategies would experience improved psychological and functional outcomes following rehabilitation. Further, it was expected that this relation would be mediated by the experience of positive mood. Support for the proposed mediation model was found, whereby the experience of vigor was found to mediate the effect of proactive coping on outcomes. Theoretical and practical implications of the research findings are discussed in the context of interventions to foster proactive coping in older adults.