The effects of hardiness and coping strategies on perceived stress.

Abstract

The construct of hardiness and various types of coping strategies have been separately analyzed in previous research with respect to their effect on stress. Both have been found to be related to the reduction of stress and/or the buffering of negative outcomes due to stress. This study attempted to examine how coping strategies are related to hardiness. Participants included 30 executives attending a seminar at the Menninger Management Institute in Topeka, Kansas and 60 undergraduate students from Emporia State University. They completed surveys on perceived stress, coping strategies, and hardiness. Results demonstrated the student sample utilized more avoidant coping strategies than the executive group. In addition, hardiness and problem-reappraisal coping were negatively related to perceived stress. Avoidant coping, however, was positively related to perceived stress and negatively related to hardiness.