Life stress and health: personality, coping, and family support in stress resistance

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to extend work on factors that buffer the potentially negative health effects of life stress. Using a survey with a representative community sample, respondents were separated into a Distressed Group (high stress, high distress) and a Stress Resistant Group (high stress, low distress). Findings demonstrated that those who adapted to life stress with little physical or psychological strain were more easy-going and less inclined to use avoidance coping than individuals who became ill under stress. In addition, in the stress resistant group, men were more self-confident and women had better family support than their counterparts in the distressed group. Results are discussed in relation to earlier findings concerning "hardiness," avoidance coping, and the behavioral prescriptions of conventional sex roles.