Abstract
The association between coping and personality was examined in a sample of 204 cardiac catheterization patients who were asked to evaluate the use of specific coping strategies used to deal with their cardiac catheterization. Personality, as measured by the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (FFI), was moderately correlated with coping measures. In multivariate analyses, after considering confounding factors, Neuroticism was positively and Extraversion was negatively related to avoidance coping and Neuroticism was negatively associated with counting one's blessings as a coping strategy. Personality was not related to either problem solving or seeking social support coping strategies for individuals experiencing a cardiac catheterization. However, important covariates were associated with coping strategies. Not being married was negatively correlated with use of seeking social support and not having a confidant was negatively related with seeking social support and positively with avoidance. These results suggest that there are specific relationships between personality and coping, but these relationships are, for the most part, moderate in persons coping with a cardiac catheterization, and that coping processes are associated with individual differences in available social resources.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
Bosworth, H., Siegler, I. C., Brummett, B. H., Barefoot, J. C., Williams, R. B., Vitaliano, P. P., Clapp-Channing, N., Lytle, B. L., and Mark, D. B. (1999a). The relationship between self-rated health and health status among coronary artery patients. J. Aging Health 13(4): 565–584.
Bosworth, H. B., Siegler, I. C., Brummett, B. H., Barefoot, J. C., Williams, R. B., Clapp-Channing, N., Lytle, B. L., and Mark, D. B. (1999b). Self-rated health as a predictor of mortality in a sample of coronary artery disease patients. Med. Care 37(12): 1226–1236.
Brummett, B. H., Babyak, M. A., Siegler, I. C., Bosworth, H. B., Haney, T. L., Williams, R. B., Clapp-Channing, N., and Mark, D. B. (1998). Social support and hostility as predictors of depressive symptoms in cardiac patients one month following hospitalization: A prospective study. Psychosom. Med. 60: 707–713.
Carver, C. S., Scheier, M. F., and Weintraub, J. K. (1989). Assessing coping strategies: A theoretically based approach. J. Person. Soc. Psychol. 36: 267–283.
Costa, P. T., and McCrae, R. R. (1989). NEOPI-R Profesional Manual, Psychological Assessment Resources, Odessa, FL.
Costa, P. T., Fleg, J. L., McCrae, R. R., and Lakatta, E. G. (1982). Neuroticism, coronary artery disease, and chest pain complaints: Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. Exp. Aging Res. 8: 37–44.
Costa, P. T., Somerfield, M. R., and McCrae, R. R. (1996). Personality and coping: A reconceptualization. In Zeidner, M., and Endler, N. S. (eds.), Handbook of Coping: Theory, Research Applications, Wiley, New York, pp. 44–60.
Folkman, S., and Lazarus, R. S. (1980). An analysis of coping in a middle-aged community sample. J. Health Soc. Behav. 21: 219–239.
Grodstein, F., Stampfer, M. J., Manson, J. E., Colditz, G. A., Speir, F. E., Willett, W. C., and Hennekens, C. H. (1996). Postmenopausal estrogen and progestin use and their risk of cardiovascular disease. N. Engl. J. Med. 335: 453–461.
Hooker, K., Monahan, D., Shifren, K., and Hutchinson, C. (1992). Mental and physical health of spouse caregivers: The role of personality. Psychol. Aging 7(3): 367–375.
House, J. S., Landis, H. R., and Umberson, D. (1988). Social relationships and health. Science 241: 540–545.
Kop, W. (1997). Acute and chronic psychological risk factors for coronary artery syndromes: Moderating effects of coronary artery severity. J. Psychosom. Res. 43(2): 167–181.
McCrae, R. R. (1982). Age differences in the use of coping mechanisms. J. Gerontol. 37: 454–460.
McCrae, R. R. (1992). Situational determinants of coping. In Carpenter, B. N. (ed.), Personal Coping: Theory, Research, and Application, Praeger, New York, pp. 65–76.
McCrae, R. R, and Costa, P. T. (1986). Personality, coping, and coping effectiveness in an adult sample. J. Person. 54: 385–405.
Stampfer, M. J., and Colditz, G. A. (1991). Estrogen replacement therapy and coronary artery disease: A quantitative assessment of the epidemiologic evidence. Prev. Med. 20: 47–63.
Vitaliano, P. P., and Siegler, I. C. (1996). Strategy for understanding a short coping form for use in UNCAHS and MOPAD, Unpublished data, Duke University, Durham, NC.
Vitaliano, P. P., R usso, J., Carr, J. E., Maiuro, R. D., and Becker, J. (1985). The Ways of Coping Checklist: Revision and psychometric properties. Multivar. Behav. Res. 20: 3–26.
Vitaliano, P., Russo, J., Young, H. M., Teri, L., and Maiuro, R. D. (1991). Predictors of burden in spouse caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Psychol. Aging 6(3): 392–402.
Wegner, N. K. (1995). Hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors in women. Am. J. Hypertens. 8: 94S-99S.
Williams, R. B., Barefoot, J. C., Califf, R. M., Haney, T. L., Saunders, W. B., Pryor D. B., Hlatky, M. A., Siegler, I. C., and Mark, D. B. (1992). Prognostic importance of social and economic resources among medically treated patients with angiographically documented coronary artery disease. JAMA 267: 520–524.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bosworth, H.B., Feaganes, J.R., Vitaliano, P.P. et al. Personality and Coping with a Common Stressor: Cardiac Catheterization. J Behav Med 24, 17–31 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005682303815
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005682303815