Responses to the Demands of Everyday Life: Domain-Specific or General Coping?

This study focuses on how individuals deal with changes and problems in various domains of everyday life. A descriptive classification system is used to conceptualize various responses to stress. The findings support previous studies that suggest that a general adaptation system as well as domain-specific coping behaviors be used. This study concentrates on the indices of coping repertoire and coping intensity as well as on the range of general and specific coping behaviors in four life domains. Adults between the ages of 43 and 63 (N = 1001) were included in the sample. The results indicate that coping always comprises a variety of responses. There is a set of “general” coping behaviors that are used in all life domains that were examined. Some of the coping behaviors are specific to particular life domains in middle adulthood and young-old age. Findings suggest that coping behaviors develop differentially in response to domain-specific demands of everyday life.