Coping Strategies, Self-Criticism and Gender Factor in Relation to Quality of Life

The main objective of the study is to identify the relation between the perceived stress level, coping strategies and reported self-criticism. The second objective is to investigate the relationship between gender, coping strategies, level of self-criticism and the quality of life. A total of 228 students in psychology and law were investigated and they completed a perceived stress scale, a stress coping instrument, a Self-Criticism scale and Quality of Life scale. Results found significant differences between males and females in the selection of coping strategies. Results showed also that the variables coping strategies - task oriented and emotion, gender and self-criticism were significantly related to quality of life. (C) 2012 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.