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Gender, coping and psychosomatic symptoms

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

Ad J. J. M. Vingerhoets  and
Guus L. Van Heck
Ad J. J. M. Vingerhoets*
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Psychology, Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine, Free University of Amsterdam and Department of Psychology, Tilbury University, The Netherlands
Guus L. Van Heck
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Psychology, Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine, Free University of Amsterdam and Department of Psychology, Tilbury University, The Netherlands
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr A. J. J. M. Vingerhoets, Department of Medical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Free University of Amsterdam, PO Box 7161, 1007 MC Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Synopsis

In this study gender differences in coping were explored, using the Ways of Coping Checklist (WCC; Folkman & Lazarus, 1980). In addition, the focus was on sex differences in the predictive value of coping strategies in relation to psychosomatic symptoms. Males preferred problem-focused coping strategies, planned and rational actions, positive thinking, personal growth and humour, day-dreaming and fantasies. Women preferred emotion-focused coping solutions, self-blame, expression of emotions/seeking of social support, and wishful thinking/emotionality. In spite of the gender differences the results of multiple regression analyses indicated congruous relationships between coping and complaints for both sexes. Stressors and coping factors contributed in much the same way to the explained variance of symptoms and the results were generally similar for males and females. The present data also emphasize the bidirectionality of the coping–symptoms link. This holds especially for self-blame, day-dreaming and fantasizing, and wishful thinking/emotionality. In contrast, distancing was found to be associated with self-reported psychosocial load. Future prospective studies should explicitly pay attention to this bidirectional relationship.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 20 , Issue 1 , February 1990 , pp. 125 - 135
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1990

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