THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN DISPOSITIONAL COPING AND PERSONALITY VARIABLES
THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN DISPOSITIONAL COPING AND PERSONALITY VARIABLES

Summary/Abstract: Previous research claimed that coping resources reflect stable personality characteristics (Bouchard, Guillemette, & Landry-Léger, 2004). The aim of the present study was to explore the relations between active coping, positive reinterpretation, denial and personality variables. Active coping is the process of taking active steps to try to remove or circumvent the stressor or to ameliorate its effects (Carver, Scheier, & Weintraub, 1989). Positive reinterpretation implies the fact that a person views a stressor in more positive terms. Denial is a strategy used when a person denies the reality of a stressful event (Carver et al., 1989). To assess personality traits, we used Big-Five personality dimensions: neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness. To measure participants' coping strategies when faced with stressful events, the 53-item COPE scale (Carver et al., 1989) was used. Participants in this study (N=112) also completed the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (Costa & McCrae, 1992). Pearson’s correlations revealed that neuroticism, extraversion, and conscientiousness significantly relate with the use of a particular coping strategy. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that conscientiousness and extraversion are the best predictors for the use of active coping strategies and positive reinterpretation. The research contributes to existing knowledge of how personality traits are related to coping strategies when confronted with adversity.

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