DYSPHORIA AND COPING IN WOMEN - THE EFFECT OF THREAT AND CHALLENGE APPRAISALS

A laboratory investigation of the appraisal processes and coping behaviors of dysphoric and nondysphoric college women was conducted using the model proposed by Lazarus and Folkman (1984). Sixty participants were separated equally into dysphoric and nondysphoric groups and randomly assigned to one of three conditions designed to induce appraisals of a stressor as threatening, challenging, or benign. Dependent measures consisted of the participants' (a) perceptions of the significance or personal relevance of the stressor (primary appraisal); (b) perceptions of their ability to cope with the stressor (secondary appraisal); and (c) use of coping strategies to deal with the stressor. Results indicated that subjects in the threat condition attributed more importance to the stressor than did subjects in challenge or benign conditions, while dysphoria had no significant effect on primary appraisal. Secondary appraisal differed significantly for dysphoric and nondysphoric subjects in the challenge condition, with nondysphoric subjects reporting greater coping ability. Dysphoric participants reported using seven out of eight types of coping strategy significantly more than nondysphoric participants. These results yield modest support for the Folkman and Lazarus model of stress and coping.